SAJID Javid has quit as Chancellor as the power struggle at the heart of Downing Street exploded.
Mr Javid, Britain’s first Asian Chancellor, walked after Boris Johnson told him he had to fire all of his advisers.
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The move sees Bojo take an iron grip of his government and continue his ruthless axing of dissenters.
Javid’s bombshell decision to resign comes amid an ongoing feud with the PM’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings.
Today was supposed be a minor reshuffle, with a focus on Mr Johnson’s desire to maintain the cabinet’s gender balance.
Instead Mr Javid resigned after a dramatic power grab by Mr Cummings towards the treasury.
Now the PM and his senior adviser will have total control of Number 11, with the two sides now historically being run under one banner.
This will see a new joint team of No 10 and 11 special advisers, something Mr Javid refused to accept.
Their fallout was sparked when the spin chief unceremoniously sacked a member of Javid’s senior staff over an explosive leaking row last summer.
He said that “no self-respecting minister” could accept getting rid of his staff.
A source close to Mr Javid said: “He has turned down the job of Chancellor of the Exchequer.
“The Prime Minister said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with Number 10 special advisers to make it one team.
“The Chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms.”
Javid’s allies had also repeatedly complained that Johnson’s advisers were briefing against them, while Number 10 aides blasted Treasury officials for doing the same.
Relations got so bad, some ministers worried about losing their jobs had even been holding meetings on how to combat the “control freakery” of Mr Cummings.
Concerns were also raised by Tory MPs, who say some members of the Number 10 political team were “really horrible about Sajid — they see him as a block”.
Despite this, just two days ago Mr Javid dismissed claims of a power-struggle, adding: “You shoudn’t believe everything your read in the press”.
His shock resignation comes with his first budget due in less than a month.
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He will be replaced by Rishi Sunak, 39, an up and coming member of the Treasury who was seen arriving at Downing Street moments after the shock announcement.
Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell wasted no time laying into No.10.
He said: “This must be a historical record with the Government in crisis after just over two months in power.
“Dominic Cummings has clearly won the battle to take absolute control of the Treasury and install his stooge as Chancellor.”
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