Sajid Javid QUITS as Chancellor in Boris Johnson cabinet reshuffle as power struggle at heart of Downing Street explodes
SAJID Javid has resigned as Chancellor in the middle of Boris johnson's cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Javid, Britain's first Asian Chancellor, walked after the prime minister told him he had to fire all of his advisers.
The move sees Bojo 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.
Mr Javid said that "no self-respecting minister" could accept getting rid of his staff.
Their fallout was sparked when the spin chief unceremoniously sacked a member of Javid's senior staff over an explosive leaking row last summer.
A source close to Mr Javid said: "He has turned down the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer.
"The Prime Minister said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers to make it one team.
"The Chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms."
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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