Toxic Tories
Poisonous-Cabinet ignores PM peace plea Sack leakers, May is told in new attack
THERESA May tried to put on a show of unity last night by releasing a jolly Cabinet photo – but she is powerless to stop the Tories putting down the poison.
Among the beaming team are bitter rivals Boris Johnson and Philip Hammond – sat awkwardly next to each other on the front row – and Michael Gove behind David Davis.
The Prime Minister has been left red faced by warring colleagues ignoring her plea for a ceasefire.
Ministers continued to undermine her authority by demanding she sacks testosterone-fuelled “donkeys” behind hostile leaks against Chancellor Mr Hammond.
Senior Tories have blamed Mr Johnson and his former leadership campaign manager Mr Gove for briefings against the Chancellor.
In one leak, it was claimed Mr Hammond – who the Mirror revealed on Monday raked in £10,000 a month in rent from renting property – had complained that public sector workers are “overpaid”.
The rivalry between Brexit Secretary Mr Davis and Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson got so heated this weekend their allies reportedly threatened to kick each other in the balls at a garden party.
Mrs May tried to instil some discipline when she told ministers there was a need to “show strength and unity as a country – and that starts around the Cabinet table”.
Her spokesman revealed: “The Prime Minister said she has introduced a more... collective discussion into the way policy is developed and agreed.
“She said the Government would make better decisions if colleagues were able to hold open discussions but it was vital that discussions in Cabinet must remain private. The PM said briefings... over the weekend had been a case of colleagues not taking their responsibilities seriously.” The showdown came after claims the Chancellor made a sexist jibe when talking about female train drivers. It was alleged yesterday that Mr Hammond treats ministers “like dirt”. A Cabinet member hit back at those thought to be responsible for leaks against the Chancellor. The insider blamed “too much testosterone” among the “proverbial donkeys”. There has been constant infighting since Mrs May’s election gamble backfired. Home Secretary Amber Rudd has leapt to her defence. Asked if she thinks Mrs May will be PM in a year, Ms Rudd said: “Absolutely... we did have an unexpected election result, but I do remind colleagues, we did still win.”
She said it was vital discussions in Cabinet remain private MRS MAY’S SPOKESMAN ON PM’S BID TO STOP WAR