Sajid Javid blasts Boris Johnson and says he had ‘no option’ but to quit after No.10 feud explodes
SAJID Javid has slammed Boris Johnson, claiming he had 'no option' but to resign after their Downing Street feud exploded.
Mr Javid, Britain's first Asian Chancellor, walked after the prime minister told him he had to fire all of his advisers.
After angrily refusing in an explosive meeting, Mr Javid has now torn into the PM in a furious salvo on his way out.
He said: “It has been a huge honour to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer and whilst I was very pleased the Prime Minister wanted to reappoint me I was unable to accept the conditions which he had attached.
“I felt I was left with no option other than to resign.
“The conditions which were attached was a requirement that I replaced all my political advisers.
“I was unable to accept those conditions. I don’t believe any self-respecting minister would accept such conditions. Therefore I felt the best thing to do was to go.”
FINAL BARB
In his resignation letter, Mr Javid appeared to take a shot at the PM by accusing him of undermining the Treasury's credibility by surrounding himself with 'Yes men' advisors.
He said: "It is crucial for the effectiveness of government that you have people around you who can give you clear and candid advice."
Mr Javid also wrote: "I would urge you to ensure the Treasury as an institution retains as much credibility as possible."
It is crucial for the effectiveness of government that you have people around you who can give you clear and candid advice.
Sajid Javid
The Chancellor's resignation sees Bo-Jo take an iron grip of his government and continue his ruthless axing of dissenters.
Javid's bombshell decision to resign comes amid an ongoing feud with the PM's chief adviser Dominic Cummings.
Today was supposed be a minor reshuffle, with a focus on Mr Johnson's desire to maintain the Cabinet's gender balance.
Instead Mr Cummings launched a surprise power-grab for the Treasury leaving the Chancellor's tenure in tatters.
Now Downing Street intend to merge their own special advisers with Number 11, something Mr Javid refused.
The move is a seismic shift, with the two sides previously being run independently.
Their fallout was sparked when the spin chief unceremoniously sacked a member of Javid's senior staff over an explosive leaking row last summer.
Javid’s allies had also repeatedly complained that Johnson’s advisers were briefing against them, while Number 10 aides blasted Treasury officials for doing the same.
Relations got so bad, some ministers worried about losing their jobs held meetings on how to combat the “control freakery” of Mr Cummings.
Concerns were also raised by Tory MPs, who claimed the Number 10 political team were “really horrible about Sajid — they see him as a block”.
He becomes the shortest-serving Chancellor in 50 years, at just 204 days.
Just two days ago Mr Javid dismissed claims of a power-struggle, adding: “You shouldn't believe everything your read in the press”.
His shock resignation comes with his first budget due in less than a month.
The other sackings from a brutal day in Westminster
NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, Housing Minister Esther McVey, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers, Attorney-General Geoffrey Cox were all fired by Boris this morning, in a brutal reshuffle.
Mr Smith was sacked even after he secured a historic power-sharing deal at Stormont.
He had been considered safe for his efforts, but the PM has booted him out over part of the deal which included an investigation into alleged crimes by British soldiers in the Troubles.
The cabinet was fully briefed on the deal, including the section on the investigations.
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox was given his marching orders just ten minutes before he was due to take AG questions in the House of Commons.
He was a loyal supporter to the PM and had asked to stay on.
Mr Cox reminded Boris of his dedication to the cause in his resignation letter.
He wrote: "You will recall that when I introduced you at your campaign launch... I said that in you we would have a Prime Minister who would ensure the Brexit process was led by politicians... who would see of the twin threats of Jeremy Corbyn and Nigel Farage."
"As I return to the backbenches, my aim will be to continue to support you and the Government."
The landmark reshuffle will see the PM promote a string of women to junior roles, as well as sacking three of them from Cabinet.
Nusrat Ghani was kicked out of her role as transport minister, Chris Skidmore from education and George Freeman out of transport.
He will be replaced by Rishi Sunak, 39, an up and coming member of the Treasury who was seen arriving at Downing Street moments after the shock announcement.
Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell wasted no time laying into No.10.
He said: “This must be a historical record with the Government in crisis after just over two months in power.
"Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as Chancellor.”
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