Gavin Williamson has become the first casualty of Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle.
The English Education Secretary tweeted: “It has been a privilege to serve as Education Secretary since 2019.
"Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, I'm particularly proud of the transformational reforms I've led in post-16 education: in further education colleges, our skills agenda, apprenticeships and more.
"This programme will create better life opportunities for pupils and students for many years to come. I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minister and the Government."
Williamson was widely criticised for his handling of schools lockdown and exams in England during the covid pandemic and more recently for his gaffe in confusing footballer Marcus Rashford for rugby player England rugby star Maro Itoje.
His exit is part of a wider cabinet reshuffle underway at Westminster which could see Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary and effective deputy Prime Minister, demoted.
Two Roberts have been dropped. Robert Buckland, the Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, has been sacked and Robert Jenrick has been sacked from his post as housing and local government secretary.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack is widely expected to remain in post in the long-awaited promotions and sackings round.
The most important move in the constitutional chessboard will be Michael Gove, currently in charge of the Cabinet Office as Chancellor of the Dutch of Lancaster, who also has responsibility for Boris Johnson’s strategy to defend the Union.
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