Rishi Sunak says he and Boris Johnson are in 'lockstep' amid claims of infighting
Rishi Sunak has dismissed reports of infighting between him and Boris Johnson, insisting the pair are in "lockstep" when in comes to Covid-19 recovery.
Mr Sunak responded to reports from The Sunday Times that an "apoplectic" Mr Johnson suggested the chancellor be demoted to health secretary after the leaking of Mr Sunak's letter calling for the easing of travel restrictions.
The letter suggested the restrictions were damaging the economy and leaving the UK at a disadvantage to its European Union rivals, ahead of the relaxations announced on Wednesday.
On the claims Mr Johnson threatened to demote him, Mr Sunak told ITV News Business Editor Joel Hills: “I don’t pay attention to all of these things, so I don’t think there is anything much more I can say about that.”
Mr Sunak firmly rejects claims of infighting between him and the PM
He also insisted proof of a strong working relationship lies in the latest GDP figures, which show it rose by 4.8% from April to June this year.
“We are actually in lockstep on making sure we secure our recovery and today’s figures show that the plan that we put in place, the plan for jobs, is working,” the chancellor said
Mr Sunak is more popular than the PM with Tory activists, but when asked if he plans to run for party leader, the chancellor said the economy was his priority.
“My sole focus is making sure we recover as strongly and as quickly as possible,” he insisted.
The Sunday Times reported the first Mr Johnson knew of Mr Sunak's letter calling for the easing of travel restrictions was when details of it appeared in the media, suggesting officials had failed to flag it for his attention.
The newspaper said this left the PM furious and questioning the motives of the leaker, with the letter appearing to undermine agreed policy and make it look like the Treasury was trying to push him into action.
A senior source told the newspaper: “He said: ‘I’ve been thinking about it. Maybe it’s time we looked at Rishi as the next secretary of state for health. He could potentially do a very good job there.’
“In an open meeting, after ranting about Rishi, he then suggested the chancellor could be demoted in the next reshuffle.”
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In a statement to ITV News, Downing Street said it does not comment on private conversations.
Meanwhile, a Treasury source said: “The chancellor is solely focused on securing the country’s economic recovery and continuing to protect and create jobs.”
The leak of the comments, reportedly made in a meeting on Monday, will do little to help relations between No 10 and No 11.
The chancellor is preparing for a tough spending review later this year as he attempts to repair the public finances following the coronavirus crisis.
That could put him on a collision course with a prime minister who has promised there can be no return to austerity.