British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised that Rishi Sunak will still be Chancellor of the Exchequer in the autumn, but did not guarantee a job for Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Mr Johnson did not rule out a reshuffle of his Cabinet in June, as he battles to remain in Downing Street after being fined over breaching his coronavirus laws.
He gave a clear guarantee that Mr Sunak, who was also fined over the 56th birthday party for the prime minister, would still be in the Treasury after autumn.
“The answer to that is yes,” Mr Johnson said in India, where he is on an official visit.
But he declined to give a similar promise when asked about Ms Patel, who has failed to curb the number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.
“Hang on, you’ve just reminded me of rule number one, which I totally forgot about," Mr Johnson said.
"Rule number one: don’t talk about politicians, talk about what politicians can do for the electorate."
Mr Sunak was on resignation watch after the fines were issued but chose to stay on, in a move seen as helping the prime minister to fight another day.
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The two leaders shake hands before meeting to discuss free trade deals and enhanced security co-operation. AFP -
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi bond before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. AFP -
Narendra Modi arrives to address a joint press briefing with his Boris Johnson at Hyderabad House. Reuters -
Boris Johnson is on a two-day visit to India. Getty Images -
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a joint statement with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson after an exchange of agreements in New Delhi. EPA -
Boris Johnson makes his point after talks with Narendra Modi focused on economic and political ties between Britain and India. EPA -
Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi agreed on a new security deal in India. EPA -
Boris Johnson visits Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. Getty Images -
Boris Johnson pays his respects at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial. Getty Images -
The British prime minister lays a wreath at the memorial in Raj Ghat. Getty Images -
Boris Johnson inspects a guard of honour during a ceremonial reception at presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Getty Images -
Boris Johnson introduces his dignitaries to Narendra Modi. Getty Images -
Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi discussed new collaborations on defence and green energy, with the UK leader seeking to reduce India's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and military equipment. Getty Images -
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson inspects a joint military guard of honour at the Indian presidential palace in New Delhi. AP Photo -
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Sarda Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. Getty Images -
Boris Johnson is shown how to operate a spinning wheel at the Sabarmati Ashram, also known as Gandhi Ashram, in Ahmedabad. Getty Images -
Boris Johnson garlands a bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the first day of his official trip to India. Getty Images -
The British prime minister browses a book during his visit to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Boris Johnson is shown a painting of Mahatma Gandhi in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Boris Johnson signs a visitors' book at the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad. AFP -
Boris Johnson receives a book from the chief minister of India's Gujarat state Bhupendra Patel. PA -
Boris Johnson boards an Indian military Chinook helicopter for a flight to the new JCB factory at Vadodara in India's Gujarat state. Reuters -
Boris Johnson waves from a digger at JCB's new factory in Vadodara, Gujarat, during his two-day trip to India. PA -
Boris Johnson meets workers at the JCB factory in Vadodara. AP
Asked why he would guarantee Mr Sunak’s job and not others, he said: “Well there you go. Well, c’est la vie.
“Do you know, to repeat what I’ve just said, I am saying no more about personnel. The prosopographical approach is not right.”
Mr Johnson has stuck by Ms Patel despite an investigation by his then standards chief finding in 2020 that she broke the ministerial code with behaviour towards civil servants, which amounted to bullying.
The policy was regarded as an offer to shore up support among Conservative hardliners, as Mr Johnson suffers from the fallout of the party breaches at Downing Street.
Mr Johnson praised Ms Patel for doing an “outstanding job” on the asylum scheme, which has been heavily criticised by refugee charities, Conservative MPs and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Asked if the Rwanda policy saved Ms Patel’s job, the prime minister said: “Oh for heaven’s sake, honestly.
"I’m sorry I broke my rule. You’re not going to get any more out of me about politicians or Westminster politics narrowly conceived. We’ve got to focus on the agenda for the country.”
But he did vow to stay on in No 10, regardless of how many more fines he is given for breaking Covid laws.
Asked on the plane to Gujarat if he would fight the next general election, he replied: “Of course, yes.”
