Britain’s 56th prime minister Liz Truss has taken office after an official audience with the Queen.

  • Liz Truss is finalising her Cabinet after giving her first speech as Prime Minister in Downing Street
  • Ms Truss said the UK would 'ride out the storm' as she prepares a multibillion-pound package to help with soaring energy costs
  • Earlier she accepted a request to form a government during an audience with the Queen at Balmoral
  • Boris Johnson pledged 'fervent support' for his successor during his final speech as PM

8.50pm

The wife of sacked minister Johnny Mercer has called new Prime Minister Liz Truss an “imbecile”.

Felicity Cornelius-Mercer said the Cabinet system “stinks” and “treats people appallingly” after her husband was removed as veterans’ affairs minister.

Mr Mercer, the Plymouth Moor View MP, had appeared angry about Ms Truss’s move, saying he was “disappointed” but accepted the PM is “entitled to reward her supporters”.

He also suggested he could quit the Commons, saying: “I have to accept that I will never possess the qualities required for enduring success in politics as it stands, and to be fair to my wonderful family, I must consider my future.”

His wife went further, tweeting a picture mocking Ms Truss as a character from The Muppets show and giving an account of Mr Mercer’s exit discussions.

8.42pm

Newly installed Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt leaving Downing Street tonight
Newly installed Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt leaving Downing Street tonight (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

8.37pm

BREAKING: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has invited Liz Truss to Ukraine after becoming the first foreign leader to hold a call with the new Prime Minister.

8.28pm

Meanwhile, Lord True was appointed Leader of the House of Lords, Downing Street has said.

8.23pm

Former leadership hopeful Penny Mordaunt has been appointed Leader of the House of Commons.

8.20pm

Liz Truss has promoted several women to her Cabinet, and set some landmarks along the way.

Suella Braverman is the fifth woman in history to hold the post of home secretary. The first was Labour’s Jacqui Smith, who did the job from 2007 to 2009. The others were Theresa May (2010-16), Amber Rudd (2016-18) and Priti Patel (2019-22).

Women have held the office for 13 of the last 15 years.

Meanwhile, Wendy Morton is the first woman to serve as Conservative chief whip. Labour has had four female chief whips, the most recent being Dame Rosie Winterton, who held the role from 2010 to 2016.

The first female Labour chief whip, Ann Taylor, was in the post from 1998 to 2001 and was also the first ever female Government chief whip.

Therese Coffey is only the fifth person to formally hold the role of deputy prime minister, and the first woman to do so.

8.15pm

Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, minister for intergovernmental relations and minister for equalities.

But that makes him the second shortest serving chancellor of the Exchequer in modern political history.

Mr Zahawi was given the job by former prime minister Boris Johnson on July 5 and clocked up 63 days until being replaced by Kwasi Kwarteng on September 6.

This was more than double the time spent in the role by Iain Macleod, who became Conservative chancellor on June 20 1970 but died suddenly just 30 days later.

It is necessary to go back almost 200 years to find a chancellor who served a similarly short period in office, to a time in the early 1800s when the post was occasionally held on an interim basis by the Lord Chief Justice.

8.07pm

New Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is summoning the bosses of banks, insurers and investment houses to the Treasury on Wednesday morning.

He is expected to set out No 11’s new economic approach, including immediate help for families and businesses to help weather the financial difficulties.

8pm

Brandon Lewis reacted to his appointment as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice by outlining his intent to “deliver swift access to justice for all”.

He tweeted: “I look forward to working with @trussliz and colleagues across Government on the many pressing issues we face.

“I will work tirelessly to protect the public from serious offenders, improve the safety of our prisons, reduce reoffending and deliver swift access to justice for all.”

7.58pm

Brandon Lewis, whose resignation as Northern Ireland secretary piled pressure on Boris Johnson to resign from No 10, has replaced Dominic Raab as Justice Secretary.

Mr Lewis ultimately backed Liz Truss in the leadership contest.

Brandon Lewis arriving at Downing Street for a meeting with the new Prime Minister Liz Truss
Brandon Lewis arriving at Downing Street for a meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

7.51pm

BREAKING: Brandon Lewis has been appointed Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Downing Street said.

7.50pm

Mr Wallace will continue in the role of Defence Secretary, as he plays a vital role in supporting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine’s fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace arriving for a meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss at Downing Street
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace arriving for a meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss at Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

7.45pm

Ben Wallace has been reappointed as Defence Secretary, Downing Street said.

7.40pm

New Health Secretary Therese Coffey has outlined her top four priorities.

Ms Coffey, who has also been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, told Sky News: “I’m just about to enter the department and go to meet our great civil servants I’m going to work with.

Newly installed Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey leaving Downing Street
Newly appointed Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey leaving Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“We’ve got priorities A, B, C, D – ambulances, backlogs, care, D – doctors and dentists. And we’re going to work through that and we’ll make sure that we’re delivering for the patients.”

Asked whether she is ready for strikes, Ms Coffey said: “I think we’ve got to be ready for patients and that’s my top priority, and how we can make best use of our department and of course the NHS in order to achieve the best outcomes for them.”

Asked what her message is to potentially demoralised NHS staff, Ms Coffey said she recognised “they’ve done excellent work” and repeated her priorities.

7.36pm

BREAKING: Wendy Morton has been appointed chief whip and will attend Cabinet, Downing Street said.

7.35pm

New Home Secretary Suella Braverman has left Downing Street following her appointment to Liz Truss’s Cabinet, wishing journalists a good evening as she departed Number 10.

7.34pm

Liz Truss rewarded close allies Therese Coffey and Kwasi Kwarteng with top Cabinet jobs as she culled a number of prominent Rishi Sunak supporters during a major reshuffle of the Government.

The new Prime Minister appointed Mr Kwarteng as Chancellor and Ms Coffey as Deputy Prime Minister and Health Secretary, and made James Cleverly the Foreign Secretary.

Former attorney general Suella Braverman was appointed Home Secretary, replacing Priti Patel after she pre-emptively resigned.

The appointments mean that for the first time in history none of the great offices of state are held by white men.

7.26pm

Newly installed Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng leaving Downing Street
Newly installed Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng leaving Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

7.24pm

New Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has left Downing Street, but did not stop to talk to journalists.

7.23pm

BREAKING: Suella Braverman has been appointed as Home Secretary, No 10 said.

7.22pm

Penny Mordaunt, a former rival to Liz Truss in the race for Conservative Party leader, has also entered Downing Street.

7.21pm

Nadhim Zahawi has just entered Downing Street.

The former chancellor walked into Number 10 as Liz Truss appoints her new Cabinet.

7.20pm

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said new Prime Minister Liz Truss “is not on the side of working people”.

“While families are sick with worry about how they will pay their energy bills, Liz Truss is giving handouts to companies,” she said.

Angela Rayner
Angela Rayner (James Manning/PA)

“She nodded through the decisions that got working people into this mess and is expecting working people to shoulder the cost of getting out of it.

“She thinks working people just need a bit more graft to solve the problems her Government caused.

“Labour has set out a fully funded plan to ensure no-one pays a penny more on their energy bill this winter. Because Labour is on the side of working people, while the Tories are the party protecting oil and gas profits.”

7.16pm

BREAKING: James Cleverly has been appointed Foreign Secretary, No 10 said.

7.15pm

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has arrived at Downing Street.

7.14pm

Kwasi Kwarteng has just left Number 10 after being appointed the new Chancellor of the Exchequer.

7.13pm

George Eustice pledged to “offer scrutiny” from the backbenches as he was sacked as environment secretary as part of Liz Truss’s clear-out of Rishi Sunak supporters from Cabinet.

In a statement on his departure from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Mr Eustice said: “It has been a privilege to have been a Defra minister for the past nine years, under three different prime ministers, including almost three years in Cabinet during the most challenging of times.

“I will now offer scrutiny and advice from the backbenches.”

7.10pm

BREAKING: Kwasi Kwarteng has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, No 10 said.

7.09pm

Brandon Lewis, the former Northern Ireland secretary, has just entered Downing Street, where new members are being appointed to Liz Truss’s Cabinet.

7.08pm

Leaving Number 10 after her appointment, Ms Coffey told waiting journalists: “I’m very excited, thank you.”

7.07pm

Therese Coffey, the new Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, earlier had to take shelter from the rain as she awaited the arrival of Prime Minister Liz Truss in Downing Street.

Therese Coffey shelters from the rain as she awaits the arrival of new Prime Minister Liz Truss in Downing Street, London
Therese Coffey sheltering from the rain in Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

7.04pm

Shailesh Vara has been sacked as Northern Ireland secretary.

He tweeted: “Great privilege and honour to serve as Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office and work with some excellent people.

“My best wishes to the new PM and I look forward to supporting the government from the backbenches”.

Mr Vara, a supporter of new Prime Minister Liz Truss’s rival Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership contest, was not expected to retain his position.

He was appointed to the role in Boris Johnson’s caretaker administration in July.

7.02pm

Downing Street said: “The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon Dr Therese Coffey MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. She will also be Deputy Prime Minister.”

7.01pm

BREAKING: Therese Coffey has been appointed Health Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, Downing Street said.

6.51pm

Greg Clark has been sacked as levelling up secretary.

He tweeted: “It’s been such a privilege to be at the helm at (the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) these last 8 weeks.

“Thanks to superb teams of ministers, civil servants, colleagues in local govt and partners in business & voluntary sector we’ve done the job and delivered a lot more besides.

“I’ve enjoyed it enormously.”

Mr Clark was appointed to Boris Johnson’s caretaker administration in July after Michael Gove was sacked.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke is tipped to take on the office in Liz Truss’s Government.

6.48pm

Johnny Mercer, who did not say who he was backing in the leadership race, said he was “disappointed” to be sacked as veterans’ affairs minister, but accepted the Prime Minister is “entitled to reward her supporters”.

The Plymouth Moor View MP also suggested he could quit the Commons, saying: “I have to accept that I will never possess the qualities required for enduring success in politics as it stands, and to be fair to my wonderful family, I must consider my future.”

6.41pm

Education Secretary James Cleverly arriving for a meeting with the new Prime Minister Liz Truss at Downing Street
James Cleverly greets a police officer as he arrives for a meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss at Downing Street (James Manning/PA)

6.37pm

Johnny Mercer has been sacked as veterans’ affairs minister.

In a statement posted on social media, he said he was “disappointed” to have been “relieved of my duties in Government” by Liz Truss.

6.35pm

Transport minister and MP for Aldridge-Brownhills Wendy Morton has walked into Number 10 Downing Street.

6.33pm

Andrew Stephenson said he was no longer Conservative Party chairman, as Liz Truss carried out her first Cabinet reshuffle as Prime Minister.

He tweeted: “Thanks to the brilliant hardworking team at @Conservatives Central Office – it’s been an honour to be Party Chairman during the leadership contest & to campaign in 87 different seats. Best of luck to my successor!”

6.30pm

Attorney General Suella Braverman arriving for a meeting with the new Prime Minister Liz Truss in Downing Street
Suella Braverman arrives for a meeting with Prime Minister Liz Truss in Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

6.29pm

Therese Coffey was the third politician to enter Downing Street this evening.

She stood at the open door of Number 10 and posed for the media.

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey at the door of 10 Downing Street
Therese Coffey at the door of 10 Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

She was followed shortly afterwards by Education Secretary James Cleverly, who greeted the duty police officer before entering Downing Street.

6.23pm

Kwasi Kwarteng has entered Number 10 Downing Street amid speculation that he is to be made Chancellor of the Exchequer in Liz Truss’s Cabinet.

6.20pm

Suella Braverman has entered the front door of Number 10.

The Attorney General and former leadership contender walked up Downing Street, waving and smiling at the waiting press.

6.16pm

Dominic Raab was swiftly kicked out of the Cabinet as the deputy prime minister became the first casualty of Liz Truss’s reshuffle after she entered No 10.

Grant Shapps and Steve Barclay, two other secretaries of state who backed Tory leadership rival Rishi Sunak, were also quickly despatched to the backbenches by the new Prime Minister.

New Prime Minister Liz Truss outside 10 Downing Street, London
Liz Truss outside 10 Downing Street (James Manning/PA)

Ms Truss’s shake-up began promptly after she delivered her first speech in Downing Street on Tuesday.

6.08pm

Steve Barclay announced that he is no longer health secretary, tweeting: “After 7 years in government I am returning to the backbenches.

“Thanks to all colleagues, both political & civil service, for their fantastic support. Wishing @trussliz & her ministerial team every success for the future.”

6.07pm

Grant Shapps has lost his job as transport secretary as Liz Truss appointed her first Cabinet.

Mr Shapps said he would be a “strong, independent voice” on the Tory backbenches.

He tweeted: “It has been a privilege to serve as Transport Secretary; a job I loved.

“Now I look forward to being a strong, independent voice on the backbenches, developing policies that will further the Conservative cause and the interests of my constituents in Welwyn Hatfield.”

6.07pm

Video: Liz Truss makes first speech as Prime Minister

6.06pm

US President Joe Biden has congratulated Liz Truss on becoming Prime Minister and vowed to deepen the “special relationship”.

Just as Ms Truss finished her speech and formally entered Downing Street, the US president tweeted: “Congratulations to Prime Minister Liz Truss.

“I look forward to deepening the special relationship between our countries and working in close cooperation on global challenges, including continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression.”

The White House confirmed that Mr Biden will speak to Ms Truss on Tuesday evening.

Mr Biden’s tweet was the first public message since Ms Truss was elected as Conservative leader on Monday.

Ms Truss is expected to travel to the US later this month for the United Nations General Assembly, where she will be hoping for her first face-to-face meeting with the president.

6.01pm

Brandon Lewis, Nadhim Zahawi and Ben Wallace were among those listening to Liz Truss’s first speech as Prime Minister.

Brandon Lewis, Nadhim Zahawi and Ben Wallace were among those listening to Liz Truss's first speech as Prime Minister
Brandon Lewis, Nadhim Zahawi and Ben Wallace in Downing Street during Liz Truss’s speech (Victoria Jones/PA)

5.52pm

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said he is returning to the backbenches as Liz Truss appoints her first Cabinet.

Mr Raab tweeted: “Thanks to the brilliant MoJ (Ministry of Justice) team for all their hard work over the last year.

“Good luck to the new PM and her team. I look forward to supporting the Government from the backbenches.

5.48pm

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden will call Liz Truss to congratulate her tonight, telling reporters: “He’s going to speak to her later today, this afternoon.

“He’s planning to call her to congratulate her, the new Prime Minister.”

5.46pm

New Prime Minister Liz Truss makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London
Liz Truss makes a speech, her first as Prime Minister, outside 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

5.43pm

The White House confirmed that US President Joe Biden will speak tonight with new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

5.42pm

Liz Truss said the UK is facing “severe global headwinds” as a result of the war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new Prime Minister said she was determined to stand up for freedom and democracy in the face of Russian aggression.

“What makes the United Kingdom great is our fundamental belief in freedom, in enterprise and in fair play. Our people have shown grit and determination time and time again,” she said.

“United with our allies we will stand up for freedom and democracy around the world, recognising we can’t have security at home without security abroad.”

5.40pm

New Prime Minister Liz Truss and her husband Hugh O’Leary outside 10 Downing Street, London
Prime Minister Liz Truss and her husband Hugh O’Leary outside 10 Downing Street (Yui Mok/PA)

5.33pm

Liz Truss expressed confidence that the country can rise to the challenges it faces.

In her first speech as Prime Minister at Downing Street, which came after a downpour on Tuesday afternoon and several stormy nights for London this week, Ms Truss said: “We shouldn’t be daunted by the challenges we face.

“As strong as the storm may be, I know that the British people are stronger.

“Our country was built by people who get things done. We have huge reserves of talent, of energy and determination.”

5.31pm

New Prime Minister Liz Truss made her speech outside 10 Downing Street
New Prime Minister Liz Truss made her speech outside 10 Downing Street, despite the changeable weather (Victoria Jones/PA)

5.29pm

On her second and third immediate priorities, Liz Truss said: “Secondly, I will deal hands-on with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war.

“I will take action this week to deal with energy bills and to secure our future energy supply.

“Thirdly, I will make sure that people can get doctor’s appointments and the NHS services they need. We will put our health service on a firm footing.

“By delivering on the economy, on energy and on the NHS, we will put our nation on the path to long-term success”.

5.28pm

New Prime Minister Liz Truss outside 10 Downing Street
New Prime Minister Liz Truss outside 10 Downing Street (James Manning/PA)

5.27pm

Liz Truss promised to pursue three early priorities as Prime Minister: tax cuts and reforms, dealing with soaring energy bills and securing the energy supply, and also putting the NHS “on a firm footing”.

Ms Truss said in her first speech at Downing Street: “As Prime Minister, I will pursue three early priorities.

“Firstly, I will get Britain working again. I have a bold plan to grow the economy through tax cuts and reform.

“I will cut taxes to reward hard work and boost business-led growth and investment.

“I will drive reform in my mission to get the United Kingdom working, building and growing.

“We will get spades in the ground to make sure people are not facing unaffordable energy bills and we will also make sure that we are building hospitals, schools, roads and broadband.”

5.25pm

New Prime Minister Liz Truss with her husband Hugh O'Leary after making a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London
New Prime Minister Liz Truss with her husband Hugh O’Leary after making a speech outside 10 Downing Street (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

5.23pm

Liz Truss said she is determined to tackle the issues that have been holding Britain back for years.

Standing in Downing Street, the new Prime Minister said the country needs to build “roads, homes and broadband faster” with more investment in towns and cities across the country.

“I know that we have to tackle those challenges. Of course it won’t be easy but we can do it. We will transform Britain into an aspiration nation,” she said.

“I will take action this day and every day to make it happen.”`

5.22pm

New Prime Minister Liz Truss outside 10 Downing Street, London
New Prime Minister Liz Truss outside 10 Downing Street, London (Aaron Chown/PA)

5.18pm

Liz Truss said she is confident the nation can “ride out the storm”.

Speaking from outside No 10, she said: “I’m confident that together we can ride out the storm, we can rebuild our economy and we can become the modern brilliant Britain that I know we can be.

“This is our vital mission to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations. I’m determined to deliver.”

5.17pm

Downing Street staff and supporters in Downing Street
Downing Street staff and supporters gather under umbrellas (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

5.16pm

Liz Truss smiled and waved at the door to Number 10 with her husband, Hugh O’Leary, as MPs in Downing Street marked the end of her speech with rapturous applause.

5.16pm

Protesters played loud music including the song Mad World from the streets surrounding Downing Street during Ms Truss’s first address as Prime Minister.

Chanting from protesters and an air horn could also be heard as she delivered her maiden speech.

5.15pm

BREAKING:US President Joe Biden has congratulated new Prime Minister Liz Truss, saying: “I look forward to deepening the special relationship between our countries and working in close co-operation on global challenges, including continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression.”

5.15pm

Hugh O’Leary, the husband of Prime Minister Liz Truss, was standing behind her near the door to Number 10 as she delivered her speech.

5.14pm

Speaking outside No 10 Downing Street after the downpours of rain abated, she said: “Boris Johnson delivered Brexit, the Covid vaccine and stood up to Russian aggression. History will see him as a hugely consequential prime minister.

“I’m honoured to take on this responsibility at a vital time for our country.”

5.12pm

Ms Truss paid tribute to predecessor Boris Johnson as a “hugely consequential” premier.

5.11pm

BREAKING: Prime Minister Liz Truss said she was honoured to take on the role “at a vital time for our country” in her first speech in Downing Street.

5.10pm

Liz Truss has arrived at Downing Street beneath stormy skies for her first speech as Prime Minister.

Ms Truss waved to the large crowd of journalists poised for the address in the drizzle while dozens of Tory MPs erupted into applause as she approached the lectern.

She wore a navy blue skirt and blazer with beige shoes for her inaugural address.