Ben Gummer already sits on the Brexit committee and is highly regarded by the prime minister

Ben Gummer is being lined up as the new Brexit secretary in a post-election reshuffle, with David Davis promoted to foreign secretary.

Theresa May’s key calculation as she mulls over possible changes is whether Boris Johnson can be moved, according to senior Tories.

The option of placing Mr Gummer in charge of the Brexit department is being canvassed by No 10, Whitehall sources have confirmed. Although he is not yet a cabinet minister, the Tory candidate for Ipswich and son of Lord Deben, who as John Selwyn Gummer was environment secretary, is highly rated by the prime minister.

Ben Gummer already sits on the Brexit committee as part of his work ensuring that No 10’s priorities are being implemented across government departments. “The thinking is