Rishi Sunak ‘takes swipe’ at Boris Johnson
The chancellor distanced himself from PM over false Starmer accusation
Rishi Sunak has increased speculation that he is planning a leadership challenge against Boris Johnson after he distanced himself from the prime minister’s claim earlier this week that Keir Starmer was responsible for not prosecuting the paedophile Jimmy Savile.
In an “extraordinary step”, said The Times, the chancellor took a “swipe” at the prime minister, rebuking him for his comments. “Being honest, I wouldn’t have said it, and I’m glad that the prime minister clarified what he meant,” Sunak said.
The Guardian said it was the “clearest indication yet” that Sunak is “distancing himself from his beleaguered boss” and “has his eyes on the prize” of No. 10.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Sunak didn’t say much,” reported Heather Stewart, the paper’s political editor, but “he didn’t have to”. His comments are “bound to be read by some of his colleagues” as “the strongest signal yet he may believe it is now time to act”.
Later, Sunak told the BBC that the controversy about Downing Street parties has damaged public trust in the government. “I can appreciate people's frustration,” he added. But he said Johnson had his “full support” and played down talk of a leadership challenge.
The chancellor’s remarks came amid upheaval in Downing Street as four senior aides to Johnson resigned within hours of each other, during what the Financial Times described as a “day of chaos”.
Policy chief Munira Mirza, who has been at Johnson’s side for 14 years including his time as mayor of London, left because of what she described as the prime minister’s “scurrilous” remarks about Starmer. Sunak said he would “miss working with Munira”, who he described as a “valued colleague”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Three staff embroiled in the lockdown parties row – including chief of staff Dan Rosenfield – also quit yesterday. According to reports, they have been followed out of the door by a fifth person this morning.
Paul Goodman, a former MP, now editor of the blog Conservative Home, tweeted that Elena Narozanski has also departed. Narozanski, who worked in Mirza’s policy unit, was a special adviser to the PM on women and equalities, DCMS and extremism.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
How the biggest election year in history might play out
The Explainer Votes in world's biggest democracies, as well as its most 'despotic' and 'stressed' countries, face threats of violence and suppression
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Good democracies include their poorest citizens. The UK excludes them'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published