Sajid Javid had 'no choice' but to resign and says no 'self-respecting minister' would have stayed in job

  • Ex-Chancellor said he 'could not accept' Mr Johnson's conditions
  • Follows tensions between Mr Javid and PM’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings
  • Follow our live politics blog HERE
Stephanie Cockroft13 February 2020
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Sajid Javid has said he was left with "no option" but to quit as Chancellor after Boris Johnson demanded he sack all his political advisers.

The MP said he was "pleased" that the PM wanted him to remain in the post, but that he was "unable to accept the conditions" Mr Johnson imposed, adding that no "self-respecting minister" would have stayed in the job.

The former chancellor chose to quit instead and was replaced by his former deputy at the Treasury, Rishi Sunak , in the biggest shock of Mr Johnson’s shake-up of his ministerial team.

Speaking outside his home, he told Sky News said: "It's been a huge honour to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer and whilst I was very pleased that the Prime Minister wanted to reappoint me, I was unable to accept the conditions that he had attached.

"I felt I was left with no option other than to resign."

Sajid Javid said he had 'no choice' but to resign as Chancellor 
Getty Images

When asked whether the conditions were put forward by Boris Johnson's special adviser Dominic Cummings​, Mr Javid added: "The conditions that were attached was a requirement that I replace all my political advisers.

"These are people who have incredibly hard, not just on behalf of the government, but for the whole country and have done a fantastic job."

He added: “I do not believe any self-respecting minister would accept those conditions."

The bombshell – less than a month before the Budget – follows tensions between the ex-chancellor and the PM’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings.

Mr Javid said he could not adhere to the Prime Minister's conditions
Getty images

In August, Mr Cummings had fired Mr Javid’s aide Sonia Khan and it appears Number 10 wanted to go further in keeping a closer eye on him.

Downing Street refused to guarantee that next month’s Budget would go ahead as scheduled, with a spokesman saying only that “extensive preparations have already been carried out for the Budget and they will continue at pace”.

Mr Javid's departure came amid other high profile changes in the Cabinet, including:

  • Julian Smith being unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland secretary.
  • Andrea Leadsom being sacked as business secretary.
  • Theresa Villiers losing her job as environment secretary.
  • Geoffrey Cox being sacked as attorney general.
  • Esther McVey losing her job as housing minister.

Mr Javid also shared his letter of resignation, in which he told the Prime Minister he believed it was “important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you would wish to be associated with”.

Andrea Leadsom was also one of the high-profile casualties of the reshuffle
AFP via Getty Images

He said: “While I am grateful for your continued trust and offer to continue in this role, I regret that I could not accept the conditions attached to the reappointment.

“It is crucial for the effectiveness of government that you have people around you who can give you clear and candid advice, as I have always sought to do.”

He added: “I would urge you to ensure the Treasury as an institution retains as much credibility as possible.

"The team there has impressed me with the energy and intellect they have brought to delivering the shifts in policy that I have led.

“They are among the very best public servants we have and I hope they can continue to play a central role in driving an economic agenda that puts people and place at its heart.”

No 10 believed Mr Javid's advisers had broken ranks by announcing the Chancellor’s backing for HS2, and kite-flying on a Mansion Tax and cutting tax relief on pensions.

There was also a second condition - a new economic unit, jointly run between No 10 and the Treasury, which would effectively mean handing partial control over his department to the PM’s office.

Rishi Sunak has been promoted to replace Mr Javid
PA

Mr Javid baulked, in particular at being ordered to sack his aides, saying “no self-respecting minister” could bow to such terms.

Mr Sunak was instantly promoted to replace him - the swiftness seen as a sign that No 10 was fully prepared for its ultimatum to trigger a departure.

Mr Javid added that his successor had his "full support", as did Mr Johnson and the Government.

A source close to the Prime Minister said they had hoped Mr Javid would not resign, adding: “There is no ill will towards the former Chancellor.

“But the relationship between the PM’s office and the Treasury is the most important in Government."

The day also saw several promotions, including Anne-Marie Trevelyan joining the Cabinet as International Development Secretary, having previously been a defence minister.

Oliver Dowden has become a full Cabinet member as Culture Secretary, having previously attended the meetings as paymaster general, while George Eustice was promoted to Environment Secretary from his previous role in the same department.

Brandon Lewis was appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary, while former Brexit minister Suella Braverman returns to the Government as Attorney General. Ex-Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay replaces Mr Sunak as Treasury Chief Secretary.

Amanda Milling was made Conservative Party chairman – a role in which she will attend Cabinet as a minister without portfolio.

Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt will return to Government as Paymaster General in the Cabinet Office.

Most of the key players, including Home Secretary Priti Patel, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, retained their positions.

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