Theresa May has continued her ruthless shake-up of the cabinet as more well-known Tory figures left their jobs.
Dominic Raab – an ally of sacked minister Michael Gove – left his ministerial post at the ministry of justice after taking the lead on now-abandoned plans to scrap the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights.
Former solicitor general Sir Oliver Heald was promoted to a minister of state role at the department.
Meanwhile, Philip Dunne was moved from the ministry of defence to become a minister of state at health.
Nick Hurd was moved from International Development to become a minister of state at the department for business, energy and industrial strategy.
Lord Price was appointed minister of state at the department for international trade.
James Duddridge announced that he was also leaving the government, having been in his post since August 2014.
He tweeted: “Sad to be leaving a great team at the foreign office. More time in Southend and will also keep up with friends in Africa.”
Caroline Dinenage said she was also leaving her post at the MoJ but would continue in government at the education department.
She tweeted: “Sad to be leaving my amazing team @MoJGovUK but excited about new challenges at @educationgovuk & continuing role with @WomenEqualities.”
Hugo Swire said he was retiring from his role as a foreign minister hours after likening sacked allies of David Cameron to condemned prisoners sent to the guillotine during the French Revolution.
He tweeted yesterday: “Not a good time to be a Cameroon. The tumbrils are rolling again!”
After news of his departure broke, he tweeted a picture of the closing illustration of Loony Toons featuring the caption: “That’s all folks!”
Tumbrils were carts used to carry prisoners to the guillotine during the revolution.
Yesterday he tweeted a photo of the famous Looney Tunes cartoon sign-off “that’s all folks!” and said: “I am retiring to the backbenches to join my friends.
“It’s been an honour and a privilege to have served as a Minister in the Government since 2010.”
The reason for David Cameron’s now-notorious humming after announcing Theresa May would take over from him has been revealed.
The outgoing prime minister was caught by microphones and TV cameras humming a ditty as he walked back into Number 10 following the Downing Street press conference.
It sparked a wave of speculation as to the tune – as well as claims the ditty showed Cameron was delighted to be handing over power.
But it has now emerged that the hum was a result of the outgoing PM’s nerves that he may be locked out of Number 10.
His former communications director Craig Oliver told BBC Radio 4: “I asked the PM what the tune was, and he said there wasn’t really one.
“He was just nervous that someone wasn’t going to reopen the door.
“There was a very, very pregnant pause before someone opened the door and he thought he might be stranded there.”
Cameron appeared to have recovered his composure by Wednesday when he made a series of gags during his final Prime Minister’s Questions before Theresa May took over later that day.