RISHI Sunak has refused to rule out a challenge for the Tory leadership amid claims of infighting on Downing Street.
According to reports, Boris Johnson has threatened to demote the Chancellor to health secretary.
Sunak, who was interviewed by ITV, declined the opportunity to refute those claims.
It came as new figures showed the UK’s economy grew by almost 5% in the second quarter of 2021.
Asked directly if he had ambitions to take the top Tory job, Sunak said: “My sole focus is on making sure that we recover as strongly and as quickly as possible and the figures today show that plan, the plan for jobs, is working to do that.”
The Chancellor was also pressed on his relationship with the Prime Minister.
Quizzed on whether he was threatened with a demotion, Sunak replied: “I genuinely don’t pay any attention to these things so I can’t really say anything about that. What I can say is, like every Cabinet minister, I work with for the Prime Minister and he and I work really well and really closely together as the people have seen over the past 12 to 18 months.”
'We're in lockstep'
— ITV News Politics (@ITVNewsPolitics) August 12, 2021
Speaking to @ITVJoel, @RishiSunak says he and @BorisJohnson have a 'very good' relationship despite reports of infighting between the pair https://t.co/d8s99FjkvI pic.twitter.com/AhMG5NcMs2
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According to The Sunday Times, tensions between the pair peaked last week when a furious Prime Minister went "tonto" after a letter from the Chancellor calling for travel restrictions to be lifted was leaked to the press.
Johnson's spokesman refused to be drawn directly on the reported comments, said to have been made in an "open meeting".
He insisted however that there were no plans for a Cabinet reshuffle and that the two men were working "in lockstep".
"The Prime Minister and the Chancellor have always enjoyed a close and effective working relationship, and will continue to do so," the spokesman said. "I think you can see, particularly during the pandemic, they have worked closely together.”
Recent polls have shown Sunak is more popular among Tory members, fueling speculation that he is considering a future leadership bid.
But the Chancellor told ITV he pays no attention to such reports.
“These are not the kind of things I focus on. It’s the economy, it’s jobs, it’s the recovery. That’s what I’m focussed on.”
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