It’s love from smiling Javid after job loss
He chooses the top team and how they are structured.
“We in Government are completely focused on getting things done, delivering on the priorities of the public, not on special advisers or how Government is run internally.”
Mr Sunak smiled at photographers as he entered Downing Street for the Cabinet meeting, but did not take questions from reporters.
Chief Whip Mark Spencer, also quizzed on his way into Number 10, was asked by the media if Mr Javid had been forced out of the Cabinet.
He replied, “No”, before adding: “It’s a new government.”
NORTHERN Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis was under pressure last night to ensure a witch-hunt against Army veterans will not be fuelled by a probe into killings during the Troubles.
Tories and Unionists warned the historical investigation unit revived in the power-sharing deal negotiated by Mr Lewis’ sacked predecessor Julian Smith will leave thousands of retired soldiers at risk of prosecution.
Mark Francois, deputy
SAJID Javid wished Boris Johnson a happy Valentine’s Day yesterday, a day after his exit from the Cabinet.
Mr Javid spent his first day as a backbencher at Bromsgrove Pensioners’ Fair in his constituency.
The former Chancellor’s allies claimed he was not bitter despite his clash with the Prime Minister in Thursday’s reshuffle.
He quit his job after refusing to accept tighter control by Number 10 over the Treasury.
He vowed to back the Prime Minister from the backbenches and friends say he is not ruling out a return to the Government in the long term.
Heart
Emerging from his house in south west London, the ex-Cabinet minister was asked: “Any message for Boris this morning?” He replied: “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Pressed on whether he really had a place in his heart for the Prime Minister, he added: “It’s for all of you.”
He smiled and strode to a waiting car, adding: “Good morning, thank you all for coming.”
The Prime Minister had congratulated him on his work at the Treasury. But the mood changed when Mr Johnson insisted that Mr Javid had to sack four key advisers if he wanted to continue in his job. He turned the offer down, saying the condition was “unacceptable”. chairman of the Commons’ Veterans Support Group, said yesterday: “Brandon Lewis now has a great opportunity to ensure that our veterans, without whom there would never have been a Good Friday Agreement, will be properly protected from malicious prosecutions by Sinn Fein/IRA.”
Mr Lewis spoke to key figures in Northern Ireland by telephone before heading over to Belfast last night. First Minister Arlene Foster called for Mr Lewis to look again at the terms of a historical investigation unit agreed in 2014.
That aspect of Mr Smith’s deal is said to have angered Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has promised to introduce legislation that prevents vexatious claims being made against Armed Forces veterans in his first 100 days in office. Mr Smith was booted out in the reshuffle.