Michael Gove looks set to be given a wide ranging role running the entire Cabinet Office and Brexit talks after next month's expected ministerial reshuffle.

Whitehall sources say Mr Gove's new role is likely to make him the "de facto" deputy Prime Minister, despite the fact that Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, is the official "first secretary of state".

Mr Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, was given a major role ensuring that the UK was ready for a no-deal exit from the EU in the run-up to the last deadline, October 31.

The elevation of Mr Gove could distract from what is known as Mr Johnson's "women problem" at next month's expected reshuffle.

Talk is widespread of Boris Johnson having to sack female Cabinet ministers who are seen as underperforming and replace them with male colleagues.

Business secretary Andrea Leadsom and Environment secretary Theresa Villiers and eve Liz Truss, the Trade secretary, are being mentioned as candidates in next month's cull.