Brexit: Sajid Javid is ‘very comfortable’ with suspending parliament despite comparing it to ‘trashing democracy’

Sajid Javid has sought to distance himself from his own claim that suspending parliament to force through Brexit was “trashing democracy” amid questions over his authority as chancellor.

The cabinet minister insisted he was “very comfortable” with Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament ahead of exit day on 31 October – despite comparing it to the work of a “dictator” only two months ago.

Mr Javid described his relationship with the prime minister as “fantastic” following reports of deepening tensions between No10 and the Treasury, after the abrupt sacking of one of his special advisers by Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson’s top aide.

A furious Mr Javid reportedly confronted the prime minister after Sonia Khan, his media adviser, was escorted from Downing Street by police on Thursday after a meeting with Mr Cummings.

The row comes ahead of his first major announcement as chancellor, when he unveils the details of the autumn spending review to MPs next week.

But his first major outing could be derailed by rebel MPs, who are preparing to go to war with the government in the Commons over the decision to suspend parliament.

Several cabinet ministers have faced criticism for backing the plan despite previously denouncing it, including Mr Javid, Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, and Matt Hancock, the health secretary.

Challenged on his “trashing democracy” comments, Mr Javid told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “That comment is being taken completely out of context, I wasn’t being asked about a Queen’s Speech or government setting an agenda. That was a question around suspending parliament for the sake of it for months on end, in order to avoid debate.

Pressed on the issue, he said: “I am very comfortable with the approach that we’ve taken because I think it is absolutely right that this prime minister and his government gets an opportunity to set up their agenda.

“And when we think about the role of parliament, it is right that that our parliament gets to hear that agenda and then also gets to vote on it.”

Mr Javid argued it was “quite usual this time of year” for parliament to go into recess during party conference, a decision that is voted on by MPs.

On the abrupt firing of Ms Khan and his relationship with Mr Cummings, he said it would be “inappropriate” to discuss personnel issues, but added: “I think my views are well understood.

“The relationship is fantastic with the prime minister.”

Mr Javid rejected claims Downing Street is not allowing him enough authority over the Treasury, saying: “That’s a picture being painted by the government’s opponents.

“Every government’s had opponents. They will always paint pictures that they want to exist, but they are not really there.”

As thousands of demonstrators turned out to protest against prorogation, fellow cabinet minister Matt Hancock also performed a major U-turn.

The health secretary told an event during the leadership contest that suspending parliament “goes against everything that those men who waded on to those beaches fought and died for [on D-Day]”.

Asked to explain his apparent change of stance at the Big Tent Ideas Festival, Mr Hancock said: “During the leadership debate there was a discussion of an idea that some people brought forward that from the new prime minister taking over, up to and through 1 November, parliament will be prorogued in order to drive through what would effectively be a no-deal Brexit.

“And I didn’t support that idea. And I spoke about it in quite passionate terms.

“There’s some people who are saying that parliament will be suspended. Well it doesn’t feel like it to me.”