Theresa May’s troubled cabinet smile for their first official picture shortly after she accused them of not taking their responsibilities seriously
The PM told the 27 members of the top table that they were failing the public by feuding, before they headed upstairs to No.10's Pillared Room for the formal photograph
THERESA May’s hate-riddled Cabinet were forced to pull happy smiles for their official photo just minutes after a furious dressing down for feuding.
Demanding they all pull together over spiralling spats about austerity and Brexit, Mrs May told the 27 senior ministers they are “not taking their responsibilities seriously” at the start of yesterday’s weekly Cabinet meeting.
The PM added: “There’s a need to show strength and unity as a country and that starts around the Cabinet table”.
Her official spokesman added: “She said the Government would make better decisions if colleagues were able to hold open discussions, that it was vital that discussions in Cabinet must remain private”.
Mrs May’s rollocking at the start of the No10 meeting was then backed up by her deputy, First Minister Damian Green.
But no prominent Brexiteer minister spoke during the short subsequent discussion.
Livid Chancellor Philip Hammond – the target of most of the knifings – also remained silent.
In an excruciating moment, the whole Cabinet were then asked to go upstairs to Downing Street’s Pillared Room for a formal photograph.
Senior backbenchers also told the PM they had her support if the wanted to make an example of any of them.
Vice chair of Tory MPs’ 1922 Committee Charles Walker said the party’s grandees would back her if she “has to start removing secretaries of state because they are not focusing on their job”.
Ex Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans added: “If they’re found to be briefing against one another and against the Prime Minister I don’t think they should last any longer.
“And the PM does have the authority to do that and she’ll have the backing of the 1922 if she does.”
