Theresa May's Cabinet... the story so far

Mr Gove was sacked by the new Prime Minister on the second day of a round of appointments which has already seen fellow Brexiteer Boris Johnson - the man whose leadership plans he dashed - appointed Foreign Secretary.

The former justice secretary joins ex-chancellor George Osborne on the backbenches in a dramatic reshaping of the Cabinet team, which also saw Mr Cameron's education secretary Nicky Morgan, culture secretary John Whittingdale and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Letwin leave the Government.

However, Jeremy Hunt whose position earlier seemed under threat is to remain as Health Secretary, Downing Street said.

The sackings came as Mrs May returned to Downing Street on Thursday morning to continue building her new Cabinet team.

In a message on Twitter, Mr Gove - who launched his own bid for the leadership but was eliminated after finishing third in last week's poll of Conservative MPs - said: "It's been an enormous privilege to serve for the last six years. Best of luck to the new government - MG."

Ms Morgan said she was "disappointed not to be continuing as education secretary and minister for women and equalities - two wonderful roles it's been a privilege to hold".

And Mr Whittingdale said it had been "a privilege" to serve as culture secretary, adding: "I wish my successor every success and will continue to support creative industries."

THE CABINET SO FAR...

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling

Former Leader of the House of Commons Chris Grayling has been made Transport Secretary following in the footsteps of Patrick McLoughlin. Mr Grayling, 54, has been an MP since 2001 and has held several cabinet and shadow cabinet positions. The Brexiteer backed Theresa May's leadership bid. Mr Grayling is a Cambridge graduate and worked as a journalist before entering politics.

Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Evans

Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, was made a life peer just two years ago, having previously been deputy director of the Conservative Research Department. The 40-year-old Cambridge graduate will now be responsible for organising government business in the House of Lords. She takes on the role from Baroness Stowell of Beeston.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt

In a surprise posting, the Health Secretary has kept his job. Mr Hunt, 49, who has been heavily criticised for imposing a new contract for junior doctors, will remain in the role he has held for four years. He is a philosophy, politics and economics graduate of Oxford University and was elected as an MP in 2005. Mr Hunt tweeted: "'Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated...' Thrilled to be back in the best job in Government."

Tory Party chairman and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Patrick McLoughlin

The ex-transport secretary has taken on Oliver Letwin's former role - putting him in overall charge of the Cabinet Office. Mr McLoughlin, 58, worked in agriculture and as a coal miner before being elected as a councillor. He became MP for Derbyshire Dales in 1986 and served as chief whip before assuming the role of transport secretary.

Chief Whip Gavin Williamson

David Cameron's former parliamentary private secretary said he was "very surprised" to be made Chief Whip. The 40-year-old, who is reportedly well-liked within the Tory Party, has taken on Mark Harper's former role. The relatively unknown MP for South Staffordshire was state-educated before studying for a BSc in social sciences at the University of Bradford.

Education Secretary Justine Greening

She was international development secretary before being given Nicky Morgan's old portfolio. Yorkshire-born Ms Greening was state-educated and studied economics at Southampton University. She worked as an accountant and finance manager before winning the seat of Putney in the 2005 general election. In June, the 47-year-old revealed she was in a "happy same-sex relationship", and tweeted: "I campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you're better off out!".

Justice Secretary Liz Truss

The former environment secretary filled the boots of Michael Gove in the reshuffle. Ms Truss, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University, worked as a management accountant before entering politics. The 40-year-old once described the political views of her parents as "to the left of Labour" and said her father was "horrified" when he discovered she had joined the Conservatives.

Chancellor Philip Hammond

In one swift announcement George Osborne was out and former foreign secretary Mr Hammond was in as Chancellor of the Exchequer. He has previously served as transport secretary and defence secretary. The "reassuringly boring" choice, Mr Hammond, 60, studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University and is believed to have a devout belief in economic stability and prudent public finances.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd

Ms Rudd came to politics later in life than most, having worked as an investment banker, venture capitalist and financial journalist. The former secretary of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change was a loud voice for Remain during the EU referendum. The 52-year-old appeared to support the new PM over her own junior minister, Andrea Leadsom, in the race for the Tory leadership.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson

He wanted the top job but pulled out of the race when Michael Gove made a surprise announcement that he was to run for PM. His political fortunes have turned following Mrs May's decision to give him one of the most sought-after roles in the Cabinet. The 52-year-old former mayor of London's appointment could be seen as somewhat unexpected, having been prone to more than the odd gaffe overseas down the years.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon

He had been tipped as a possible candidate for promotion but Mrs May appeared to give her seal of approval to his work in the past two years by keeping Mr Fallon, 64, in his current role.

Secretary of State for Brexit David Davis

In holding the newly created role, Mr Davis will be front and centre in the negotiations for Britain's exit from the EU. The 67-year-old has previously published what he described as a "Brexit economic strategy for Britain". Mr Davis has served as Foreign Office minister and shadow home secretary.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox

He was forced to resign from his role as defence secretary in 2011 after allowing his friend and best man Adam Werritty to take on an unofficial and undeclared role as his adviser. Five years on, he has been welcomed back into the ranks by the new Prime Minister. Dr Fox, 54, ran in the Tory leadership contest but was quick to back Mrs May when he was eliminated in the first round.

Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom

She had hoped to become the new prime minister, but after dropping out of the race Mrs Leadsom has been made secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs. Mrs Leadsom, 53, was energy minister before being appointed to the new role. She was elected as MP for South Northamptonshire in 2010, having previously worked in the financial sector.

Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green

He was minister for state for Police and Criminal Justice until 2014, but now Mr Green will head up Stephen Crabb's old office. Mr Crabb resigned from government citing family reasons. Mr Green, 60, graduated from Oxford and worked as a journalist before becoming an MP in 1997. He will be responsible for the administration of the State Pension and working age benefits system.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid

The former business secretary has been given the role of secretary of state for communities and local government. Mr Javid, who held the culture secretary position before being appointed to the business role last year, is a former managing director of Deutsche Bank. The 46-year-old University of Exeter graduate stood on a "joint ticket" with Stephen Crabb for the leadership election, hoping to be chancellor if Mr Crabb had become PM.

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire

Former minister for security and immigration James Brokenshire has taken on Theresa Villiers' old post. Ms Villiers resigned from the role after Mrs May offered her another role which she felt she could not take on. Mr Brokenshire, 48, studied law at the University of Exeter and worked in an international law firm before being elected as MP for Hornchurch in 2005. The constituency was dissolved and he then became MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup in 2010.

Business Secretary Greg Clark

He was the communities secretary, but Mr Clark will now take on the business portfolio. He follows Mr Javid in the role which will see him manage strategy and policy across the business department. Mr Clark, 48, grew up in Middlesbrough and went on to study at Cambridge and the London School of Economics where he gained a PhD for a thesis on incentive payments. He has also held the post of universities secretary and financial secretary to the treasury.

International Development Secretary Priti Patel

Prominent Brexiteer Ms Patel was employment minister before being taking on the international development role. The 44-year-old studied at Keele and Essex universities and began work in the Conservative Central Office in 1997. She also worked in consultancy before she became MP for Witham, Essex, in 2010.

Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Karen Bradley

She was parliamentary under secretary of state in the Home Office from 2014, but now Mrs Bradley will take on the culture portfolio. She will oversee arts and culture, broadcasting and creative industries, amongst others. Mrs Bradley, 46, is a mathematics graduate of Imperial College London and went on to work as a tax manager.

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns

He was appointed as Welsh Secretary just four months ago so there is little surprise that Mr Cairns will retain his position. The 45-year-old who was born in Swansea, is a graduate of the University of Wales, Newport, and was elected as MP for the Vale of Glamorgan in 2010. He worked in banking for a decade before his election to the Welsh Assembly.