Sajid Javid offers a parting shot in resignation statement

Ahead of Sajid Javid’s resignation statement in the Commons, allies of the former chancellor were keen to press that it would be a friendly affair. The idea being that Javid wanted to use the traditional personal statement to be constructive rather than score points. In the end, there was plenty of praise for the Prime Minister as well as some laughter. But there was also much in the way of criticism for an unelected inhabitant of 10 Downing Street.

Javid praised Boris Johnson. He said the Prime Minister had been given a huge mandate to transform this country and was off to a ‘great start’. The former chancellor also lavished praise on his successor and one time deputy Rishi Sunak, saying he was certain Sunak would rise to the challenge before him. But for all Javid’s praise, he had next to nothing positive to say about Johnson’s aides. Javid said he had been given an impossible choice – to oust his aides in favour of No.