Theresa Villiers has been sacked as Defra Secretary, after just six months in the role.
Villers issued a statement confirming her sacking, after meeting Boris Johnson on Thursday morning.
“What the prime minister giveth, the prime minister taketh away: just over six months ago I was delighted to be invited by the prime minister to return to government after three years on the back benches. This morning he told me I need to make way for someone new.”
Villiers, keen Brexiteer, said she was ‘deeply grateful for having the opportunity to serve at the highest level of Government’.
Her last major act before leaving the post was to publish the revised Agriculture Bill, which received a warmer reception among farmers than her predecessor Michael Gove’s original as it did more to recognise the importance of food production.
Villiers’ replacement at Defra has not yet been announced.
Theresa Villiers sacked as Defra Secretary
By Chloe Ryan
Chloe Ryan
Editor of Poultry Business, Chloe has spent the past decade writing about the food industry from farming, through manufacturing, retail and foodservice. When not working, dog walking and reading biographies are her favourite hobbies.