Former Chancellor Sajid Javid made a personal statement during Prime Minister’s Questions to give more of his version of events that led to his resignation. The “twist” of Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle stunned onlookers, sparking suggestions of Mr Javid actually being “shoved out”. Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg revealed on BBC Politics Live that the relationship between Number 10 and Number 11 had become “fraught”.

She said: “As one member of the Cabinet said to me, it was a little bit by accident and a little bit by design.

“But whether he was shoved out or the Government lost its Chancellor by mistake, the departure of any Chancellor is a huge moment.

“Even in a Government that’s just getting off the ground, it is not something that, at least on that morning, had been expected.

“You’ll remember in his resignation letter, and the brief clip he gave afterwards, it was very clear that he was departing with some displeasure.”

Ms Kuenssberg continued: “It was displeasure at how Number 10 have been operating and displeasure at how the balance of power between Number 10 and Number 11, that next-door neighbour relationship that’s often so fraught, hadn’t quite been panning out how he expected to.

“I don’t expect that he’ll be undiplomatic, but it’s well worth listening to what he has to say.

“The interesting thing about it is if you had said to me a couple of weeks before that Sajid Javid would be on his way out in this huge February reset that wouldn’t surprise me at all.

“What was surprising was that morning, although he, as I understand it, had been well aware with colleagues that there was this possibility that he would be told sack your team or lose your job.”

The BBC journalist added: “He had already discussed with his close team what he would do under those circumstances.

“I think he had concluded that he would walk rather than make that compromise and sacrifice his staff in order to keep his own job.”

Rishi Sunak, who was appointed to replace Mr Javid, confirmed that the budget will still go ahead on March 11.

DON’T MISS
Andrew Marr slams ‘out of control’ Boris Johnson policy as ‘grotesque’ [VIDEO]
Nigel Farage exposes Boris Johnson’s family link influencing policy [VIDEO]
Laura Kuenssberg grills Rebecca Long-Bailey over ‘convincing’ voters [INTERVIEW]

Mr Javid addressed the House of Commons following PMQs: “When I left these benches, it was to become a minister in the Treasury.

“It seems apt that I went back to whence I came. The circle of life.

“I have never once made a decision or, indeed, given advice on a decision that I did not believe was in the national interest.

“Britain’s democracy and economy are strong because of its institutions and its people.

“Now when reflecting on the dynamic between Number 10 and Number 11, it is natural to look at past relationships. There is no one size that fits. It depends on the mutual respect and trust that allows for constructive tension between teams.”

Source: Read Full Article