Rishi Sunak silent as Boris Johnson faces heat from hostile MPs

The man in charge of the nation’s purse strings, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, is amongst several Cabinet ministers who are laying low and are yet to give a broadcast interview in support of beleaguered Boris Johnson.

A number of Cabinet members have managed to appear on the airwaves since last week’s Prime Minister’s Questions where Boris Johnson faced a hostile response from Labour MPs.

Though the activity nicknamed ‘Operation Save Big Dog’ has yet to see a number of people who attend cabinet show their support.

Those yet to speak out include Suella Braverman, Nigel Adams, Mark Spencer, Baroness Evans, Thérèse Coffey, Kwasi Kwarteng, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Alok Sharma, Ben Wallace and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

It remains unknown whether their lack of presence on the airwaves is down to them refusing to play ball or whether 10 Downing Street is withholding said Cabinet members from the airwaves, through fear of what they may say or holding them in reserve.

Rishi Sunak, who is believed to be the front runner to succeed Boris Johnson, sent his lukewarm message of support via Twitter on Wednesday night.

Silent Sunak is yet to appear on radio or television giving his backing to Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is also believed to be amongst the prime leaders to replace the PM.

A Tory MP involved party discipline, told The Telegraph: “They would be well advised to keep a low profile. Anything they do now would be counterproductive.”

Advisers to both Mr Sunak and Ms Truss have denied their bosses are on leadership manoeuvres and insist they remain loyal to Mr Johnson.

I’ve been on a visit all day today continuing work on our #PlanForJobs as well as meeting MPs to discuss the energy situation.

The PM was right to apologise and I support his request for patience while Sue Gray carries out her enquiry.

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) January 12, 2022