Sacking of 21 Tory rebels was the final straw for Jo Johnson
Boris Johnson’s brother yesterday became the first member of his cabinet to quit the government, saying that he could no longer resolve the tensions between family loyalty and the national interest.
Jo Johnson said he was resigning as universities minister – a post that meant he attended cabinet meetings – and would also stand down as an MP. He is understood to have told friends that the sacking by his brother of 21 Conservative opponents of a no-deal Brexit had brought matters to a head.
He had previously been a key member of the rebel group, having resigned under Theresa May to push for a second referendum. He campaigned for Remain in 2016.
He had been criticised for taking the job in the first place and said that he had done so only to try to avoid the kind of stories of fratricidal conflict that bedevilled the former Labour leader Ed Miliband.
One member of the government told The Times: ‘‘Boris is his brother. He knows him. He knows what he’s like. That hasn’t changed in the last five weeks. His position on Brexit hasn’t changed in the last five weeks. Why did Jo take a position in the government?’’
Another source said he had faced pressure from his wife, the Guardian journalist Amelia Gentleman, not to serve in a government adopting such hardline tactics to secure Brexit by October 31. Friends of the couple said she was ‘‘appalled’’ at her husband returning to the cabinet. ‘‘It would be fair to say that family pressure was coming from two directions,’’ said one friend.
Johnson is understood to have told the prime minister of his decision in a ‘‘difficult’’ conversation on Thursday. But his announcement yesterday morning took Downing Street aides unawares.
In a statement released via Twitter he said: ‘‘It’s been an honour to represent Orpington for nine years and to serve as a minister under three PMS. In recent weeks I’ve been torn between family loyalty and the national interest. It’s an unresolvable tension and time for others to take on my roles as MP and minister.’’
Speaking to The Sun, Jo Johnson said his argument with his brother was over Brexit alone. ‘‘What is so clearly in the national interest is everything the government is doing in its strong, One Nation domestic policy agenda: more police on the streets, more doctors and nurses in our hospitals, a welcoming face to scientists and international students,’’ he said.
‘‘That’s exactly what a Conservative prime minister should be doing and what Boris does so well.’’ Asked about the decision yesterday afternoon the prime minister acknowledged the Brexit split, saying Jo Johnson ‘‘does not agree with me about the European Union because it’s an issue that obviously divides families and divides everybody’’.
He described his younger brother as a ‘‘fantastic guy’’ and a ‘‘brilliant minister’’, adding: ‘‘What Jo would agree is that we need to get on and sort this thing out.’’
Nick Boles, the former Conservative MP, tweeted: ‘‘Boris Johnson is willing to sacrifice anyone and anything on the altar of his ego and ambition. His lust for power consumes everyone who stands in his way.’’
David Gauke, the former justice secretary who lost the whip this week, said: ‘‘Lots of MPS have had to wrestle with conflicting loyalties in recent weeks. None more so than Jo. This is a big loss to parliament, the government and the Conservative Party.’’
Louise Haigh, the shadow policing minister, added: ‘‘If your own brother doesn’t believe you’re acting in the national interest, why should the country?’’
Margot James, the former digital minister who became an independent MP, said to Jo Johnson: ‘‘If I thought my decision had been difficult it was nothing compared to yours. I am utterly humbled by your action.’’
Johnson, a former journalist like his brother, became an MP in 2010 and three years later was appointed by David Cameron to be director of the No 10 policy unit. He was made a minister a year later. He resigned in December last year to campaign for a second referendum.