One of Boris Johnson's top aides claimed on Wednesday evening that he is in a "buoyant" mood and plans to get on with the job as British Prime Minister, moments before it emerged that he had sacked a senior Cabinet minister known to be critical of him staying in Downing Street.

Michael Gove, UK Secretary of State for Levelling Up, had reportedly told Johnson earlier in the day that it was time for him to quit. Johnson is believed to have called him up from Downing Street to inform him that he is fired from his ministerial post.