Johnson survival doubts grow as aides quit
Cabinet ministers believe there is a ‘‘50/50’’ chance that Boris Johnson will be forced out of office after four of his most senior aides quit Downing Street and his chancellor publicly rebuked him.
Dan Rosenfield, Johnson’s chief of staff, and Martin Reynolds, his principal private secretary, are leaving by ‘‘mutual consent’’ as part of a clearout of senior aides in the wake of the parties scandal.
Their departures were announced hours after Munira Mirza, head of policy, had resigned. She attacked the prime minister for ‘‘letting himself down’’ by making ‘‘scurrilous’’ accusations against Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader. Jack Doyle, Johnson’s director of communications, also resigned, saying that ‘‘recent weeks have taken a terrible toll on my family life’’.
Rishi Sunak, regarded as a potential successor to Johnson, rebuked the prime minister for claiming Starmer had been responsible for not prosecuting the paedophile Jimmy Savile. ‘‘I wouldn’t have said it, and I’m glad that the prime minister clarified what he meant,’’ the chancellor said.
Two cabinet ministers have questioned whether Johnson could survive. ‘‘It feels like the end, it’s all falling apart,’’ one said. ‘‘It’s 50/50 in my view at the moment’’. Another added that it was ‘‘difficult to tell’’ whether the prime minister could stay on.
Mirza’s departure is a particular blow to Johnson because she had been at his side since he was mayor of London. He once described her as one of the most influential women in his life.
It also calls into question the future of her husband, Dougie Smith, another of Johnson’s aides. One Downing Street figure said that a number of other staff were ‘‘considering their positions’’.
In her resignation letter Mirza said: ‘‘I believe it was wrong for you to imply this week that Keir Starmer was personally responsible for allowing Jimmy Savile to escape justice . . . You tried to clarify your position ... but, despite my urging, you did not apologise for the misleading impression you gave.’’
A Downing Street source said: ‘‘This is a serious blow. She’s basically the only person left coming up with new ideas.’’
One minister told ‘‘It feels like the end of days.’’