The former Chief Whip has been appointed as Justice Secretary. His government department will be where plans will be drawn up to replace the European legislation with a British Bill of Rights.

Mr Gove replaces Chris Grayling, who goes into a new role as leader of the House.

He was called into Downing Street by David Cameron yesterday and told that his new role was crucial because it would involve another key policy – English Votes for English Laws.

Sources insist he is pleased with the move, although critics will consider it a demotion.

Mark Harper, the MP who resigned as immigration minister after it emerged that his cleaner did not have permission to work in Britain, has been appointed Chief Whip.

Other senior positions are remaining the same. Nicky Morgan was told that she would remain at the Department for Education.

That follows George Osborne staying as Chancellor, Theresa May as Home Secretary, Philip Hammond at the Foreign Office and Michael Fallon in defence.

Mr Gove, who will also become Lord Chancellor, could face opposition from some in his party over the policy plans. The former Attorney General Dominic Grieve has called the proposals "unworkable".

Given the tiny majority held by the Tories any dissent over the Bill of Rights could make the law difficult to pass because the Labour party, SNP and Lib Dems are all likely to vote against.

As the new roles were being mulled over in Downing Street, demonstrators gathered outside to protest the new Government's planned austerity cuts.

More than a dozen people were arrested after minor scuffles broke out during the unplanned rally. A women’s war memorial was defaced with graffiti reading "Tory scum" and five police officers were hurt.

Earlier Mr Cameron posted a thank you message on Facebook, saying: "Together we have laid the foundations for a better future - and now, with a Conservative majority government, we must build on them.

"We are on the brink of something special in our country."