Boris Johnson threatened to demote Rishi Sunak following a row over the easing of Covid travel restrictions, it has been reported.
The prime minister was said to be ‘raging’ after a letter written by his chancellor was leaked to press, in which Mr Sunak said the Government’s travel rules were damaging the economy.
Mr Sunak had written to the prime minister calling for a significant easing of travel restrictions and warned they were causing the UK to lag behind its EU rivals, in a letter leaked to The Sunday Times.
The PM was said to be so ‘apoplectic’ over the letter – which came days before an announcement on travel changes – that he considered punishing the chancellor by bumping him down to a less desirable role in the Cabinet.
A senior source told The Sunday Times: ‘He [Mr Johnson] said: ‘I’ve been thinking about it. Maybe it’s time we looked at Rishi as the next secretary of state for health. He could potentially do a very good job there.
‘In an open meeting, after ranting about Rishi, he then suggested the Chancellor could be demoted in the next reshuffle.’
It is understood the PM was angry that officials hadn’t warned him of the letter and only learnt the details of it via the press, which sparked a manhunt for the leaker.
Although a reshuffle is not expected imminently, the paper reported that Mr Johnson has previously considered International Trade Secretary Liz Truss as a potential chancellor, with Jacob Rees-Mogg as her deputy.
A source said: ‘The PM keeps talking about Liz Truss. He’s always got on quite well with her. He thinks she’s controllable.’
But it is thought that Mr Johnson won’t carry out his threat, with the PM apparently known for his off-the-cuff remarks made ‘half in jest’.
Following the reports, allies of the chancellor have thrown their support behind him and insisted he is solely focused on the health of the economy.
A Treasury source said: ‘The Chancellor is solely focused on securing the country’s economic recovery and continuing to protect and create jobs.’
The alleged comments, reportedly made in a meeting on Monday, will do little to help relations between No 10 and No 11.
Mr Sunak is preparing for a tough spending review later this year as he attempts to repair the public finances following the impact of the pandemic.
The review could put him on collision course with a prime minister who has promised there can be no return to austerity.
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