Rees Mogg quits cabinet as Sunak becomes PM
The North East Somerset MP has previously called the new Prime Minister a "socialist"
North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees Mogg has quit as the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, just hours after Rishi Sunak formally became the new Prime Minister.
Mr Rees Mogg confirmed the news in a letter shared on his personal website, in which he congratulates the Prime Minister on his new position but says it is the right time for him to go.
"Many congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister, I wish you every success," the letter reads.
"As you will rightly want your own team, I would be grateful if you convey my resignation as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to the King.
"It has been an honour to serve in this and previous roles but having completed some of today’s Parliamentary business, it’s time to go."
Before being given the role of Business Secretary under Liz Truss, Mogg had also served as Leader of the House of Commons under Boris Johnson and Minister for Brexit Opportunities.
It is widely believed his resignation as Business Secretary is a case of jumping before being pushed.
As his letter suggests, it is reported he knew he would not be given a role in Mr Sunak's cabinet, having previously called the new Prime Minister a "socialist".
He was also one of Mrs Truss' most staunch supporters and called for a Boris Johnson return in the latest Conservative leadership election, saying it was "Boris or Bust".
"In the interests of the nation the Conservative Party must unite under your leadership, and I shall do all I can to support you," the end of his letter reads.
Several other MPs have also left their cabinet positions at the time of writing, including Brandon Lewis who was the Justice Secretary and Wendy Morton who was Chief Whip, charged with maintaining discipline within the Conservative Party.
Others will very likely follow.