Summary

  • Gavin Williamson is named as new defence secretary

  • Julian Smith promoted to be new chief whip

  • Esther McVey becomes deputy chief whip

  • No further appointments expected

  • Sir Michael Fallon resigned on Wednesday evening

Live Reporting

Brian Wheeler and Alex Hunt

  1. Williamson famed for his pet tarantula

    Gavin Williamson has had a career free from controversy, although he reportedly got on the wrong side of the Parliamentary authorities over his pet tarantula Cronus, which he keeps in a glass box on his desk. MPs are not encouraged to keep pets on the premises.

    “Cronus is a perfect example of an incredibly clean, ruthless killer... absolutely fascinating to rear,” Mr Williamson told The Daily Telegraph last year.

    It is not known if Cronus will move with Mr Williamson to the Ministry of Defence.

  2. Tip for next PM?

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  3. Edwina Currie's verdict on the switch

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  4. Williamson is an ally of the PM

    Gavin Williamson is a close ally of prime minister Theresa May. He offered to be her campaign manager when she entered the race to be Conservative leader after David Cameron's resignation, a position that was not needed in the end as there was no contest.

    Like Mrs May, he also voted remain in last year's EU referendum.

  5. A logical move?

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  6. Woman as new chief whip?

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  7. New chief whip for government

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  8. Who is Gavin Williamson?

    Gavin WilliamsonPA

    Gavin Williamson is a surprise choice to be the new defence secretary. The 41-year-old has been the MP for South Staffordshire since 2010 and is a former Parliamentary aide to David Cameron.

    He has been chief whip - in charge of party discipline - since July last year.

  9. Gavin Williamson is new defence secretary
    Breaking

    Conservative chief whip Gavin Williamson has been appointed defence secretary to replace Sir Michael Fallon.

  10. Watch: Did Fallon jump or was he pushed?

    BBC assistant political editor

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  11. Watch: Cabinet reshuffle will bring 'further instability'

    Deputy political editor of The Times

    Victoria Derbyshire

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  12. Tory MP: 'I feel like a victim after being named in dossier'

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  13. More revelations to come?

    Victoria Derbyshire

    Sam Coates, deputy political editor at The Times, said Sir Michael Fallon appears to have decided "it was better to go now, rather than face the prospect that somebody else might come out and go public".

    He suggested the bar for resigning from government had now been lowered, meaning others could follow.

  14. A change in the culture at Westminster?

    Senior figures from all parties have been saying the sexual misconduct allegations engulfing Westminster could mark a change in long-held attitudes.

    Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith told the BBC: "The culture of casual tolerance of this is what really is now being brought an end to.

    "And I think that is critical - and the ability of people who feel like they're being put into a situation they shouldn't have to be in.

    "I think that has to also be arranged, so that they can make that clear themselves. So, this is the change I think that's coming. It affects all political parties."

  15. Listen again: Ruth Davidson says change needed

    The Scottish Tory leader has said "the dam has broken" on Westminster sexual assault and harassment cases.

  16. Watch: Sir Michael's resignation statement

    Michael Fallon: 'I may have fallen below high standards'

  17. Tips for new defence secretary

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  18. Hard act to follow?

    Lord Dannatt, who was the Chief of the General Staff - the head of the Army - from 2006 to 2009, has told the BBC defence is a huge job, and Sir Michael Fallon's replacement may struggle to match his approach to the job.

  19. Possible candidates for new defence secretary

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  20. May considers Fallon replacement

    The ex-defence secretary resigned saying his past behaviour is "not acceptable now".

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