Osborne mocks May’s ex-aides
GEORGE Osborne has mocked the Prime Minister’s former advisers – saying his Northern Powerhouse idea had outlived their careers.
The ex-Chancellor accused them of trying to erase all mention of the investment plan since he was sacked last summer.
However, he pointed out that Theresa May’s joint chiefs of staff – Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill – had since been forced to resign following the election in June.
Writing in the Financial Times, he said: ‘I left office and there was a risk that the Northern Powerhouse would end with my own political career.
‘It very nearly did. We know that there was a systematic attempt by Mrs May’s advisers (apparently without her knowledge) to eradicate all mention of the initiative. Thankfully, the idea has proved more enduring than those advisers.’
Mr Osborne – who is chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership – has also demanded the Prime Minister commit to building high-speed rail links across the North to unlock its economic potential.
Mr Timothy last night responded with a swipe at Mr Osborne. He posted on Twitter: ‘Sorry George Osborne repeated lies about my views. In government, I supported the Northern Powerhouse. I could hardly do otherwise having lived in Midlands and North for longer than George Osborne.’