'There is some sexism at work': Boris Johnson comes under fire over plan for post-Brexit Cabinet reshuffle that is expected to see senior WOMEN axed from his top team

  • The Prime Minister will make a series of changes to his Cabinet next month 
  • It is the few women in the team who are expected to lose their jobs
  • The names in the frame including Andrea Leadsom and Therese Coffey

By David Wilcock, Whitehall Correspondent For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Boris Johnson was accused of sexism today as senior ministers prepared for a post-Brexit reshuffle expected to see several senior women axed from his top team.

The Prime Minister will make a series of changes to his Cabinet next month after the UK leaves the EU on January 31.

And it is the few women in the team who are expected to be chopped, with names in the frame including Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey.

Other ministers expected to be purged include Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg.

One female Cabinet minister complained of a gender bias in the process.

'If you look at all of the people who get briefed to be getting the sack, it is all of the women. You do wonder if there is some sexism at work there,' she told the Times.

It came after it was revealed at the weekend that Mr Johnson will give his Cabinet Ministers 'marks out of 10' for their performance over the next month as he decides who to fire in a reshufffle – with those who showboat on TV top of his hit list. 

Andrea Leadsom
Therese Coffey

Names in the frame to be sacked include Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey

It was revealed at the weekend that Mr Johnson will give his Cabinet Ministers 'marks out of 10' for their performance over the next month

It was revealed at the weekend that Mr Johnson will give his Cabinet Ministers 'marks out of 10' for their performance over the next month

Theresa Villiers
Liz Truss

There are just seven female full Cabinet ministers. Pictured are Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers (left) and International Trade Secretary Liz Truss (right)

The move is part of plans to re-energise his Government following criticism of his failure to set out a blueprint for power and accusations that he is dithering over big decisions.

And he has told No 10 officials to scale back his foreign travel plans so he can 'personally drive delivery' of his Election manifesto promises, which he will set out after Brexit Day on January 31.

Mr Johnson has already come under fire for the lack of gender balance in his top team. 

There are just seven female full Cabinet ministers, with Home Secretary Priti Patel the most senior, and 16 men.


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