Has Boris Johnson abandoned his promise to make his cabinet less pale and male?

Incoming prime minister pledged a top team to ‘truly reflect modern Britain’ – but is now shedding women and ethnic minority ministers, says Rob Merrick

The number of women around the top table has fallen from a dismal seven to a disgraceful six out of 22 (Getty)

No 10 could not have been clearer when it vowed, last summer: “Boris will build a cabinet showcasing all the talents within the party that truly reflect modern Britain.”

With Sajid Javid installed as the UK’s first chancellor from an Asian background, it pointed to a determined effort to rid the Tories of the stigma of being male, pale and obscenely privileged.

Now, just months after that promise was made, Mr Javid’s career is in tatters and so, it seems, is the drive for diversity. So will the Conservative Party ever really change?