Michael Gove and Boris Johnson mocked in internet memes after a day of turmoil in Westminster

One meme showed the Justice Secretary - who announced his own shock bid to be PM - mocked up as ruthless Godfather mafia boss Don Corleone.

The politician was dubbed The Govefather in a spoof film poster tweeted by online joker General Boles, who added the caption: "Today I will settle all family business."

Mr Gove was also compared to schemer Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones in another popluar post online.

Other social media users made fun of Leave campaign boss Mr Johnson, who had been the runaway favourite to take over from David Cameron but found his support slipping away after right-hand-man Mr Gove ditched him early this morning.

The event was christened 'Borixit' in posts shared on Twitter alongside an image of Mr Cameron laughing as if reacting to the day's news.

Many accused the former London Mayor of performing his U-turn only after realising the scale of the challenges facing the new leader following the Brexit result he helped bring about.

A spoof Twitter account in the name of Larry the Downing Street cat wrote: "In fairness to Boris, as a cat I know a thing or two about asking to be let out and then instantly regretting that decision..."

One joker tweeted: "BoJo Bricks It And Legs It From Brexit."

Another said: "Feels a bit like Boris took the UK for a test drive, crashed it into a wall and then brought it back saying 'I don't want it, it's dented'."

Filmmaker Keir Husband linked Mr Johnson's decision to the ongoing crisis engulfing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, joking: "Is Boris holding out for the Labour leadership?"

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Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron chimed in with a dig about Mr Johnson's membership of an Oxford dining society notorious for smashing restaurants on boozy rampages.

He said: "Boris follows the Bullingdon playbook: you break it and someone else has to fix it."
Political blogger TSE highlighted Mr Gove's role in the political downfall of both Mr Cameron and Mr Johnson, saying: "In less than a week, Michael Gove slays two Bullingdon boys."

And bookies Paddy Power, which rates Theresa May 8/13 favourite to be the next PM, commented on today's turmoil with Mr Johnson mocked up in political drama House of Cards - renamed House of T***s.