'Disappointed' Mercer loses Government role helping veterans in reshuffle
Mr Mercer has published his response to the reshuffle
Last updated 7th Sep 2022
The Plymouth Moor View MP Johnny Mercer is no longer veterans' minister in the Government, after being relieved of the post last night in new Prime Minister Lizz Truss's reshuffle.
The Devon MP afterwards posted online "I am disappointed to leave a role I established, leading a team that I established, delivering a programme of reform for veterans that I have authored."
He added: "Any Prime Minister is entitled to reward her supporters, and I accept that decision."
Last year Mr Mercer left his post as a junior defence minister, before later returning to Government
Mr Mercer's wife, afterwards posted online: "He asked her ‘why would you do this, who is going to be better at this role than me, which of your mates gets the job, you promised a meritocracy?’
"PM - I can’t answer that Johnny
"This system stinks & treats people appallingly."
Today Liz Truss will work to finalise a multi-billion package to freeze energy bills after conducting a brutal Cabinet cull of Rishi Sunak supporters and rewarding her allies with the top jobs.
At lunchtime she will face Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in her first Prime Minister's questions, and is expected to continue with a reshuffle of Government positions.
First Ms Truss will hold the debut meeting of her new-look Cabinet in the morning, as ministers seek to finish an emergency package to ease the cost of living crisis.