Simon Clarke quits as Housing Secretary

Simon Clarke quits as Housing Secretary

Housing Secretary Simon Clarke has left Cabinet after Rishi Sunak officially entered Downing Street as Prime Minister this morning.

Clarke cited his loyalty to previous Prime Ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson as he revealed he had quit as Secretary of State on Twitter this afternoon.

He said: “It has been a great privilege to serve as Secretary of State, working alongside some terrific people to #LevelUp our communities, just as it was before that as Chief Secretary to the Treasury

“It has only been while holding these positions that I’ve come to appreciate the full weight of responsibility that ministers bear, and we are deeply fortunate to be supported in this by our civil servants and special advisers (and never forget them on days like today).

“My loyalty to Liz Truss and Boris Johnson was sincere to the last and I appreciate deeply the opportunity they gave me. But I meant every word that I said yesterday: the Conservatives
 must unite under our new PM and should all work to ensure Rishi Sunak  succeeds. He has my support.”

This paves the way for a new Levelling Up and Housing Secretary, with Michael Gove rumoured for a return.