Our political correspondent in the Commons says the action there seems to be almost over.

All eyes will be on Downing Street shortly for news on new ministers and those who will be keeping their jobs.

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political reporter

So it's farewell Julian Smith and we'll be getting a fourth Northern Ireland Secretary in under four years.

This will be a hugely unpopular decision in both Belfast and Dublin, and will leave some wondering why the prime minister would sack a secretary of state who actually managed to do his job - getting devolution restored.

But remember, Julian Smith and Boris Johnson had never seen eye-to-eye - on Brexit and other Northern Ireland matters.

Mr Smith had also been known for fighting his corner in cabinet, rather than being quietly loyal.

In his short-lived time at Stormont (just seven months), he not only stopped the ship from sinking but also helped it to chart a new course.

Many will feel his replacement has a lot to live up to.

Reflecting on her departure from the business department, Mrs Leadsom says she is "particularly proud" of her work on the net zero carbon target, the count down to the climate change conference in Glasgow and "on making the UK the best place in the world to work and to grow a business".

She thanks her departmental team and says: "I will continue from the backbenches to work to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect."

More praise coming in for Julian Smith, who has been sacked as Northern Ireland secretary.

Ireland's deputy PM Simon Coveney tweets: "U have been such an effective SOS for NI at a time of real challenge & risk.

"Without your leadership I don’t believe NI would have a Govt today.

"Thank you @JulianSmithUK, external for your trust, friendship and courage; UK & #Ireland, external can look to future with more confidence because of it."

Colum Eastwood is the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party - a centre left party in Northern Ireland. It currently has two MPs in Westminster, following the 2019 general election.

Image source, ITN

Leaving Parliament, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson tells the waiting reporters he is "going to do his job now".

Housing minister Esther McVey has been seen walking towards the prime minister's office by journalists.

Stephen Barclay - the former Brexit secretary - has also been spotted.

Political correspondent for the Guardian, Kate Proctor, and associate editor at the Telegraph, Camilla Tominey, are both tweeting from the House of Commons...

A reminder, the attorney general is due to take questions from MPs in the House of Commons at 10:10 GMT.

Gavin Barwell - chief of staff to former Prime Minister Theresa May - pays tribute to the outgoing Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith.

He tweets: "You should be proud @JulianSmithUK, external of what you achieved.

"Restoring government to a part of our country that had been without it for far too long a significant achievement.

"You leave government with your reputation enhanced"

House of Commons
Parliament

The day in the House of Commons is due to start at 09:30 GMT with questions to the culture secretary - a position which will change hands this morning.

There are also two urgent questions in the Commons - one on online harm, the other on maternity services in East Kent.

Both questions will have to be answered by ministers. So for some, the joy of having won a ministerial position may be quickly replaced by the fear of having to immediately answer questions on their brand new brief.

Attorney General Geoffrey Cox is not revealing whether or not he keeps his job, our political correspondent in the Commons says.

It's a long - and cold - wait for our political correspondent Chris Mason outside Downing Street this morning.

The prime minister is understood to be firing ministers in his Commons office and will later do the hiring in Number 10.

So Chris is looking out for those ministers who will be in the cabinet and doing the "stride of pride" through Downing Street later.

Julian Smith has been sacked as Northern Ireland secretary.

Perhaps the one guaranteed constant today in Westminster today is Larry the cat - chief mouser in Number 10 since David Cameron was prime minister.

Earlier, Julian Smith answered questions from reporters as he made his way into work...