Downing Road has insisted that Boris Johnson has the “full help” of his cupboard, regardless of the lengthy delay on Wednesday earlier than Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss publicly voiced their backing following his dramatic apology over Downing Road events.
Mr Sunak’s absence from the Home of Commons for prime minister’s questions sparked hypothesis in Westminster that he was distancing himself from Mr Johnson, fuelled by the removed from full-throated wording of his eventual tweet.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesperson immediately insisted that the prime minister took duty for errors made by Downing Road over the holding of a “socially distanced drinks” occasion within the No 10 rose backyard throughout lockdown in Could 2020.
The peace of mind got here after BBC reviews that the PM instructed Tory MPs within the Commons tea room that – regardless of his public apology – the scandal was “not his fault and he’s bravely taking the blame for others”.
The PM’s spokesperson stated he was unable to touch upon the tea-room conversations, however instructed reporters: “These are unsourced claims. What is evident is what the prime minister stated repeatedly within the Home, which is his view.
“The prime minister made clear repeatedly that there have been issues we didn’t get proper and he should take duty.”
Questions had been raised over the extent of cupboard help for Mr Johnson when solely a handful of senior ministers made public expressions of loyalty within the speedy aftermath of his midday assertion.
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Tradition secretary Nadine Dorries and levelling up secretary Michael Gove had been fast to subject supportive tweets, however it was not till greater than eight hours later that the chancellor and international secretary commented.
Mr Sunak’s choice to spend the day in Devon discussing a authorities jobs initiative had already raised eyebrows at Westminster.
And his eventual tweet at 8.11pm appeared to counsel that he was withholding a remaining choice on his angle in the direction of the PM till after the report by civil servant Sue Grey into the events.
“I’ve been on a go to all day immediately persevering with work on our #PlanforJobs in addition to assembly MPs to debate the vitality scenario,” rote the chancellor. “The PM was proper to apologise and I help his request for persistence whereas Sue Grey carries out her enquiry.”
Ms Truss’s tweet didn’t come till 9.14pm, however was extra unequivocal in its backing for Johnson: “The Prime Minister is delivering for Britain – from Brexit to the booster programme to financial development. I stand behind the Prime Minister 100% as he takes our nation ahead.”
Requested if Mr Johnson loved the total help of his cupboard, the PM’s official spokesperson instructed an everyday Westminster media briefing: “Sure, and you may see they proceed to ship on the general public’s priorities.”