Johnson the godfather takes his cabinet retribution in summer massacre

Boris Johnson dispelled any doubts his friends had that he could make hard decisions.

Boris Johnson is clapped into 10 Downing Street by staff. Picture: AFP

Before Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, his close friends had privately questioned whether he would have the stomach for the difficult decisions. Shortly after 5pm on Wednesday, any doubts they harboured had been dispelled.

In the space of an hour, Johnson embarked on the bloodiest cabinet reshuffle in modern history, sacking 11 ministers while six others ­resigned. Nigel Evans, a supporter of Johnson, said: “It’s not so much a reshuffle as a summer’s day massacre.”

Sacked ministers were reminded of Johnson’s response to a quickfire question about his favourite film scene during an interview this month. He said: “The multiple retribution killings at the end of The Godfather.”

Johnson eclipsed Harold Macmillan’s night of the long knives in 1962 when he sacked seven ministers. Theresa May moved 11 ministers on when she became prime minister in July 2016.

The biggest casualty was Jeremy Hunt, who was forced to quit as foreign secretary after refusing to accept the role of defence secretary because he considered it a demotion. That refusal is said to have infuriated Johnson, with allies saying Hunt had “demeaned” both himself and the role of defence secretary. A better offer from Johnson was not forthcoming.

If Hunt was surprised by the new Prime Minister’s ruthless streak, his supporters were shocked. Johnson sacked almost every cabinet minister who had supported Hunt — nine in total.

Ministers were invited to Johnson’s new office in the House of Commons, which had been vacated by Theresa May three hours earlier. They entered the room to find Johnson flanked by Edward Lister, his new chief of staff, and Mark Spencer, his new chief whip.

The meetings were perfunctory, most of them lasting no longer than a few minutes, and Johnson appeared to be operating from a script.

“He didn’t offer much of an explanation,” one minister said.

“He just said there wasn’t enough room in his cabinet and that he appreciated all of the work I’d done.”

Penny Mordaunt, who had feared a sideways move from her role as defence secretary, found herself sacked. Her allies were furious, describing her sacking as “vindictive” and suggesting that she had been “punished” for backing Hunt.

Caroline Nokes, the immigration minister and another backer of Hunt, learnt she was being sacked on Twitter before she had even been in to see Johnson. She responded: “Good of you to tell me first.”

Theresa and Philip May say goodbye. Picture: Getty Images

David Mundell, the Scottish secretary, who backed Hunt and harbours significant concerns over a no-deal, was also sacked.

He told The Times: “My job now is to hold him to account on the commitments he has given to the Union. He has said the right things and now he has got to do it.”

He added that he “won’t necessarily be joining Phil Guevara’s movement”, a reference to former chancellor Philip Hammond’s group of ex-ministers preparing to mount a resistance to Johnson’s Brexit plans.

Other supporters of Hunt who were sacked include Greg Clark, Liam Fox, Damian Hinds, Karen Bradley and Mel Stride. One of Johnson’s most savage acts was his decision to sack James Brokenshire as housing minister. Brokenshire had been an early supporter of Johnson. One of his aides, Liam Booth-Smith, has secured a senior role in Downing Street.

Chris Grayling, another supporter of Johnson, resigned as transport secretary. He has been heavily criticised in the role.

Energy secretary Claire Perry resigned after sources said she had struck a deal with Johnson. She has been offered the presidency of COP26, an international climate change summit in London next year.

Four cabinet ministers — Hammond, Rory Stewart, David Gauke and David Lidington — quit before Johnson had the chance to sack them. They visited May in her Commons office shortly after her final prime minister’s questions to tender their resignations.

Hammond, who allies of Johnson fear will prove a “nightmare” on the backbenches, used his resignation letter to warn the new Prime Minister to stay “within fiscal rules”. He said Johnson must choose between increased public spending, higher investment, lower taxes or faster progress towards reducing public debt — “Or some combination of all four.”

Gauke, the justice secretary, took a more lighthearted approach, tweeting a photo of himself and Stewart with their faces digitally aged. “A few ministers leaving government today,” Gauke said. “Some of us hope to return … one day.” Stewart responded: “Looking forward to that great 2045 cabinet return.”

After accepting the four cabinet resignations, May returned to Downing Street and had lunch in the garden with her husband, Philip. Johnson’s incoming team gathered, waiting at the Cabinet Office for the handover and for their official passes. Some of those about to become the most powerful figures in the land spent several hours eating Pret sandwiches and drinking Diet Coke.

Just as pictures emerged of Johnson with the Queen, the team was moved down a passageway to No 10 before being ushered into the sweltering heat to greet the new Prime Minister. Among them was Carrie Symonds, his girlfriend, who stood chatting to Lister.

After giving his address, Johnson entered Downing Street for the first time and left almost immediately by the back door, ready to carry out the most ruthless cabinet cull in history.

With Matt Chorley, Kate Devlin
The Times