Boris Johnson has sacked Michael Gove as Levelling Up, Communities and Housing Secretary, according to reports.

It is understood that Mr Gove was relieved of his duties during a phone call with the Prime Minister tonight.

On a remarkable day in British politics, the PM went on the front foot by wielding the axe, despite a raft of resignations suggesting that he might not be in a position to do so.

In relation to Mr Gove's departure, a No 10 source has told the BBC: “You cannot have a snake who is not with you on any of the big arguments who then gleefully briefs the press that he has called for the leader to go.

“You cannot operate like that.”

The move came after the Prime Minister rejected calls from Cabinet colleagues to quit after support for his leadership collapsed at Westminster.

More than 40 MPs have resigned from the Government since Tuesday night, including Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew.

Late tonight, Simon Hart resigned as Welsh Secretary. 

Mr Johnson’s relationship with Mr Gove has long been troubled, with the Prime Minister’s leadership campaign in 2016 derailed when his rival withdrew support and decided to run himself.

But it was not only Mr Gove who sought to persuade Mr Johnson that his time in No 10 should end.

Home Secretary Priti Patel, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and Welsh Secretary Simon Hart were among the Cabinet ministers telling Mr Johnson to stand down.

The PM met ministers in No 10 today, where he was told he had lost the confidence of the Tory party and could not continue in office.

A source close to the Prime Minister said he told his colleagues there would be “chaos” if he quit and the party would almost certainly lose the next election.

The source said Mr Johnson was “continuing to focus on delivering for the public” and addressing the “hugely important issues facing the country”.