New cabinet being appointed as Liz Truss makes Thérèse Coffey her deputy

Liz Truss has wasted no time in appointing her cabinet, which commentators expect to almost exclusively be made up of her backers.

The new prime minister has this evening begun announcing her top team, starting with Thérèse Coffey, who will take over as Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister.

Kwasi Kwarteng is the new chancellor, as was widely predicted.

James Cleverly has been promoted to Truss’ old position as foreign secretary.

The new PM’s former leadership rival Suella Braverman, meanwhile, has taken over as home secretary, after Priti Patel yesterday announced her ‘choice’ to return to the backbenches.

It means that for the first time ever, none of the great offices of state are occupied by white men.

One white man remaining in his role is Ben Wallace, who, unlike most of his cabinet colleagues, will stay on as defence secretary.

Wendy Morton becomes the first female chief whip and will attend cabinet as parliamentary secretary to the treasury.

Brandon Lewis has been named justice secretary.

Penny Mordaunt and Nadhim Zahawi have been seen entering Downing Street this evening, but are yet to be given roles.

It comes after the Truss took over from Boris Johnson earlier today, following an audience with the Queen at Balmoral and a speech outside Downing Street.

Just minutes after the speech it emerged that she had begun taking the axe to Johnson’s team, with Dominic Raab and Grant Shapps among the first to confirm they had been sacked.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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