Boris Johnson considered demoting Rishi Sunak over leaked travel restrictions letter

The Prime Minister openly suggested demoting Rishi Sunak from his role as Chancellor over a leaked letter which appeared in the press last weekend, according to the Sunday Times.

Boris Johnson reportedly suggested moving Sunak to the health brief, and sources say he was “apoplectic” and “raging” over the leaked letter.

At a glance: 5 key points

– Prime minister Boris Johnson reportedly considered demoting Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak over a letter by Sunak to Johnson which was leaked to the Sunday Times last weekend

– In the letter, Sunak argued for a relaxation of current travel restrictions because they were causing the UK to lag behind other countries in Europe, and damaging the travel sector

– Reports suggest that despite the letter initially being sent from Sunak to Johnson a month or so ago, the first the PM saw of it was after it leaked to the press, leaving him blindsided

– The letter was one of two high profile interventions made by the Chancellor earlier this week, as he spoke out in favour of a return to workplaces, saying it would be of benefit to young people’s careers

– A recent poll of Conservative Party members showed Sunak with the second highest net favourability in cabinet, after Liz Truss, and as the number one pick to replace Johnson as party leader

What’s been said?

A senior source told the Sunday Times that 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.’

The source added: “In an open meeting, after ranting about Rishi, he then suggested the chancellor could be demoted in the next reshuffle.”

Speaking to the Sunday Times, an unnamed senior Tory said of Johnson: “His personal numbers are dropping like a stone. His unfavourables are going up and his favourables are going down. The critical concern for Boris is that he is prime minister because he is a winner. As soon as he is not, he has very few allies in and around the party.”