Jacob Rees-Mogg promoted in post-Partygate reshuffle

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been moved to a new Brexit role as part of Boris Johnson's mini Cabinet reshuffle as he continues with attempts to repair the damage to his administration caused by the partygate row.

Following last week's publication of Sue Gray’s update into the Downing Street gatherings during the coronavirus lockdown, the Prime Minister said that he would make changes to the Number 10 personnel.

After a wave of senior Number 10 resignations last week, Johnson is working to update his ministerial team this afternoon with a small number of hirings and firings.

The first announcement was that Rees-Mogg, the current leader of the Commons, is to be the new minister of state “for Brexit Opportunities and Government efficiency” in the Cabinet Office. 

Downing Street confirmed he will also be a member of the Cabinet.

His replacement as Commons leader is the former chief whip Mark Spencer, after it was widely expected he would be moved out of the role amid criticism from backbench MPs over the handling of the government's response to partygate.

The popular MP Chris Heaton-Harris, who was only appointed Europe minister in the last reshuffle in December, becomes the new chief whip.

There is further change in the Whips' Office as Spencer's deputy Stuart Andrew moves to the department for levelling up and becomes the 11th housing minister since 2010, taking over from Chris Pincher.

The Paymaster General Michael Ellis is becoming the minister for the Cabinet Office, in addition to his current role, and will attend Cabinet.

This change comes after current Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay was appointed Downing Street chief of staff at the weekend.

Number 10 said to expect some of his existing ministerial responsibilities to be transferred to other ministers in his department, but it appears he will retain the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster title.

Heather Wheeler, currently an assistant whip, will take on part of Barclay's former role after being made a Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office in addition to her current position.

James Cleverly moves from being minister for the Middle East and North Africa in the foriegn office to take Heaton-Harris' Europe brief.

The Prime Minister's promotion for Rees-Mogg comes less than a month after he branded Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross a "lightweight".

During an interview on Newsnight, when he was told that the party's 31 MSPs in Holyrood had backed Ross in his call for Johnson to resign,  Rees-Mogg replied: "The Secretary of State for Scotland who is a big figure is very supportive of the Prime Minister.

"Douglas Ross has always been quite a lightweight figure."

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