Javid could form a new faction in Downing Street, insiders warn

Boris Johnson is minded to choose a popular Conservative with a clean slate, sources suggested

BORIS JOHNSON’S chief of staff should be a free agent without their own supporters, No 10 insiders have said, amid concerns about Sajid Javid forming a new faction in Downing Street if he was appointed in the role.

Following a week of infighting in Downing Street that ended with the resignations of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain, Mr Johnson is looking for a chief of staff who can help unite his party and heal apparent divisions between backbenchers and No 10. Mr Javid, the former chancellor who ran against Mr Johnson in last year’s Tory leadership election, was tipped for the role amid suggestions his experience in government and on the Tory back benches would give MPS an ally in Downing Street. But officials are said to be concerned Mr Javid would come with an existing group of supporters and detractors in Parliament.

Mr Javid was endorsed in last year’s leadership race by Jeremy Wright and Caroline Nokes, who both served in

Theresa May’s government, and Ruth Davidson, the then- Scottish Tory leader. Although a decision on the role is thought to be some way off, Mr Johnson is minded to choose a popular Conservative with a clean slate, sources suggested last night.

A senior Tory MP on Friday warned Mr Javid would be seen as a “person with an agenda of their own” rather than a Boris Johnson loyalist.

It is possible that Mr Johnson will appoint a sitting MP in the role, but an unelected official with the support of Tory members is thought to be the more likely choice.

Among the other f rontrunners is Nikki da Costa, Downing Street’s director of legislative affairs, who orchestrated Mr Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament in a bid to pass his Brexit deal. Ms da Costa is a Brexit supporter, but not a member of the so-called “Vote Leave” club of officials who worked on the 2016 referendum campaign under Mr Cummings.

Matthew Elliott, who was t he campaign’s chief executive, i s also thought to be in the frame.

Henry Cook, Michael Gove’s special adviser, has been tipped for the role, and is thought to stand a chance of uniting factions in the party. He is considered an ally of Carrie Symonds, who spoke out against Mr Cummings and Mr Cain, who resigned as Downing Street director of communications last week.

David Canzini and Mark Fullbrook, who are both close allies of Sir Lynton Crosby, a political strategist linked to Mr Johnson, are considered possible candidates for the job.

Mr Johnson has asked his chief strategic adviser, Lord Udny-lister, to be his new “interim chief of staff ”.

Lord Udny-lister plans to leave government in the new year, suggesting Mr Johnson will need to appoint a permanent official before January.