Cabinet reshuffle UK 2021: Boris Johnson chairs first meeting of top team in Downing Street since wielding axe

BORIS Johnson’s new Cabinet met in Downing Street today for the first time since the brutal reshuffle saw four of them axed.

The PM’s 30-strong top team filed into the famous room in No10 at 9am for a special Friday morning get together.

He gave his senior ministers a “half-time pep talk” urging them to work together to deliver on his flagship levelling-up agenda.

He said: “This is the moment when we spit out the orange peel, we adjust our gum shields and our scrum caps.

“And we get out on to the pitch in the knowledge that we’re going to have to do it together and we’re going to have to do it as a team.”

Most were Cabinet survivors of Mr Johnson’s shake-up, but for four newly promoted ministers it was their first time sat around the oval table.

Notable absences included axed Gavin Williamson, Robert Jenrick, Robert Buckland and Amanda Milling who fell foul of the PM’s clear-out.

The PM told the room they were all there on “merit” but that it is time to redouble their efforts to deliver for the public.

Read our Boris Johnson live blog below for the latest updates…