The co-chair of the Conservative Party, who raised millions for the 2019 general election, has quit just hours after Liz Truss was announced as the new prime minister.
Ben Elliott, a close ally of Boris Johnson, resigned this afternoon.
With a reshuffle coming tomorrow, some members of the current top team in the government may stand down in anticipation of any changes.
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However, a source says that Mr Elliott is still supportive of the PM-elect.
Speaking to Sky News about the development, our deputy political editor, Sam Coates, said: “[Mr Elliott] was a friend of Boris Johnson, he is now departing the scene.
“He is important because he was the fundraiser for the Conservative Party.
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“He did an incredible job in the 2019 general election, raising something like £56m, much of it just in the weeks before that general election.”
He said whoever replaces him will have “big shoes to fill”.
He added: “They were controversial, but nevertheless, few could pull in the favours, have the friendships, have the contacts to deliver money on that scale for a leader.
“Liz Truss is going to have to find somebody – and find somebody soon – who is willing to do a similar job.”
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Mr Elliott’s departure comes after the minister for the Ukrainian refugee programme quit on Sunday.
Lord Richard Harrington said the role was no longer required because a permanent system was now in place for arrivals.
He has previously distanced himself from the government’s controversial scheme to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, which both the tory leadership contenders pledged to ramp up.
The results of the contest were announced earlier today, with Ms Truss beating rival Rishi Sunak by a comfortable margin – though her victory was slimmer than in other recent leadership contests.
The next question will be who the freshly crowned premier chooses to sit around her cabinet table.
Work and Pensions secretary and ardent supporter of Ms Truss, Therese Coffey, confirmed on Monday afternoon that the new PM will appoint her top team on Tuesday – as she hinted she might be in for a top job.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to taking office tomorrow and get on delivering (our) manifesto and getting growth and I’m really thrilled”, she said as she left the Conservative Campaign Headquarters in Westminster
Asked if she’s expecting to keep her post in the cabinet, Ms Coffey said: “That is up to the leader of the party, and soon to be prime minister.
“All the posts will be confirmed tomorrow.”
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Mss Truss has been warned by senior Tories not to stack her cabinet with Boris Johnson allies and offer top positions to MPs aligned with Rishi Sunak to heal divisions.
Key figures expected to be included in the new cabinet include Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who is widely tipped to become chancellor, and Education Secretary James Cleverly, who is rumoured to be in line for the post of foreign secretary.
But Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, has said he does not expect to be in Liz Truss’s government.
Mr Raab was one of Rishi Sunak’s most vocal supporters, and was critical of Ms Truss during the campaign.
Speaking after her victory, he said: “Now is the time for unity, we need to get behind Liz Truss.”
He added: “I’ve said I would support her in any capability or capacity…(but I’m) certainly not expecting to be given an appointment.”
