Anti-Boris protests send Downing Street into lockdown

Protesters demonstrating against the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Tory government swarmed Whitehall and sent Downing Street into lockdown this evening.

Plumes of pink smoke could be seen above a large crowd of anti-Johnson protesters.

They were held back across the road from Downing Street by the rows of uniformed police.

A helicopter buzzed overhead as the protesters, who were carrying placards which read “Boris is a no no” and “No to racism, no to Boris Johnson,” shouted their disapproval at the new prime minister.

Security officers at the gates said the site had been on lockdown since the protesters arrived and no one was being allowed in or out of that entrance.

Just before 8pm, MP Grant Shapps turned up at the Downing Street gates where he was promptly turned away by an armed officer on duty.

On the other side of the gates, and away from the demonstration, a string of tight-lipped Conservative MPs made their way out of No 10 as further appointments were announced.

They each walked straight from No 10 and to a private exit which took them towards the Foreign Office buildings or a back exit.

None left by the front gates.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock walked out of No 10 at around 8.10pm and gave a thumbs up to waiting reporters.

A few minutes later Theresa Villiers emerged, saying only that she was “very pleased” with her role as Environment Secretary.

New Education Secretary Gavin Williamson looked straight ahead as he walked past the press pack.

And Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said she was “really excited” as she left.

Having used a different route into the building, a smiling Mr Shapps said he was pleased with his new role as Transport Secretary as he left at No 10.