Cabinet reshuffle: Live updates as David Cameron wields the axe in brutal ministerial cull
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Foreign Secretary William Hague is the biggest casualty with male ministers Ken Clarke, Damian Green and Attorney General Dominic Grieve expected to be replaced
PA
Prime Minister David Cameron speaking during a visit to the 2014 Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire
9:12 am
Downing Street has just confirmed that Philip Hammond has been promoted to Foreign Secretary.
He has gained popularity within No 10 during his time in charge of the Ministry of Defence.
He first entered Parliament in 1997 as the Member of Parliament for Runnymede and Weybridge.
9:08 am
The strong rumours now from Downing Street are that Philip Hammond is to be promoted to Foreign Secretary.
The current Defence Secretary has already arrived at Downing Street and looked fairly pleased with himself.
9:01 am
David Cameron has said he will reveal all the changes in the reshuffle through his Twitter feed.
He has already confirmed that William Hague will become Leader of the House of Commons.
He also paid this glowing tribute to Ken Clarke, calling him a 'political Titan'.
8:58 am
Kevin Maguire, the Daily Mirror's associate editor, has this interesting take on the reshuffle.
Much is being made that the reshuffle is all about promoting women.
But with Philip Hammond and Liam Fox expected to be offered jobs, perhaps not all is at it seems.
8:45 am
The decision to cull some of his male pals in the Cabinet comes ahead of next year's General Election.
With the Tories struggling against Labour in the polls, Mr Cameron has been dogged by accusations of sexism in the party heirarchy.
He was recently vilified after patronisingly telling Labour frontbencher Angela Eagle to “calm down, dear.”
Hounslow Chronicle
MP for Witham and the Prime Minister's Diaspora Champion Priti Patel COR
His male-dominated Government has also presided over cuts to SureStart, the Health in Pregnancy grant, tax credits and child benefit.
Among those tipped for top jobs are Education Minister Liz Truss, Treasury minister Nicky Morgan and Welfare Minister Esther McVey, who is predicted to take Mr Clarke’s brief.
Others in line for possible promotion are right-winger Priti Patel, rising star Penny Mordaunt, Harriet Baldwin and Amber Rudd.
8:34 am
One of the reasons behind Cameron's savage cull is his wish to introduce more women into the Cabinet.
Hague is one of almost a dozen of “male and pale” ministers forced by the PM to make way for women ministers.
But his decision to quit is still a huge shock, totally unexpected within Westminster.
Mr Hague, who announced he is standing down as an MP at the next election, said he would take on a campaign role in addition to Commons leader.
He issued a series of tweets last night confirming the news.
8:21 am
Good morning and welcome to our live blog on David Cameron's cabinet reshuffle.
William Hague sensationally quit as Foreign Secretary last night as Cameron culled a string of male ministers in a brutal reshuffle.
To the shock of Westminster, Mr Hague - one of the biggest beasts in the Tory Party - has been demoted to Commons leader.
He was one of almost a dozen of “male and pale” ministers forced by the PM to make way for women ministers.
The bloodbath is also expected to see the exit of veteran Ken Clarke, Attorney General Dominic Grieve and Welsh Secretary David Jones.
Downing Street said it would announce their replacements today but ruled out George Osborne moving to the Foreign Office.
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