David Cameron moves to heal rift with Boris Johnson amid claims senior Tories trying to undermine London Mayor's credibility
The Prime Minister has invited Johnson to join senior ministers at a meeting of the Cabinet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David Cameron moved to heal a rift with Boris Johnson as he invited the Mayor of London to join senior ministers at a meeting of the Cabinet.
His move follows tensions in Tory ranks over apparent moves by Home Secretary Theresa May and Chancellor George Osborne to undermine Mr Johnson’s credibility.
There have also been accusations from ministers that Mr Johnson, who was elected an MP in May, had made little impact on the Commons since his return to Westminster.
As Mayor, he attends “political Cabinet” sessions at which ministers debate Tory strategy, but is excluded from weekly meetings of the full Cabinet to discuss the Government’s programme.
But Mr Johnson was asked to attend the final Cabinet meeting before the summer recess, which took place yesterday/today (weds) at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence in Buckinghamshire.
“It provided an opportunity for the Government to review progress on its priorities,” Mr Cameron’s spokeswoman said.
“At the invitation of the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London attended Cabinet.”
Mr Cameron extended his olive branch after Ms May used a Commons statement to block the Mayor’s application to deploy water canon on the capital’s streets. In the Budget, Mr Osborne took a swipe at Mr Johnson’s vehement opposition to the expansion of Heathrow Airport.
Mr Johnson is understood to have appealed to the Prime Minister to “rein in” the two ministers, who are regarded as leading rivals for the Conservative leadership.
The Mayor’s allies have protested that Mr Osborne and Ms May are trying to sideline him and that the Prime Minister had turned a blind eye to the manoeuvrings.
One supporter told the Independent: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Cameron has a reshuffle next year and gives him a job where he is set up to fail.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments