Cabinet reshuffle brings new Transport Secretary

Justine Greening has been replaced as transport secretary as part of David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle.

Greening – a stern opponent of plans to expand Heathrow airport – has been shifted sideways into the position of international development secretary.

The move has triggered speculation that the Prime Minister is planning to break the Coalition Government’s pre-election pledge not to build a third runway at Heathrow.

Greening is to be replaced by Patrick McLoughlin, the former Conservative Party chief whip. Transport minister Theresa Villiers has also been moved on, with a promotion to Northern Ireland secretary.

Justine Greening became transport secretary in October 2011, succeeding Philip Hammond. Since then, her most notable act has been the approval of plans to build a £32bn high-speed rail line linking London, the Midlands and the North.

More recently she has come under fire from Virgin Rail boss Richard Branson who accused her of acting “unlawfully” and “irrationally” by awarding the rail contract for the West Coast main line to rival firm FirstGroup.