Boris Johnson: Sajid Javid distances himself from PM's attack on Keir Starmer

Sajid Javid has become the latest senior Tory to distance himself from Boris Johnson’s Jimmy Savile slur.

The health secretary praised the work Sir Keir Starmer did as director of the CPS, saying he deserves ‘absolute respect’.

He joins chancellor Rishi Sunak in publicly criticising the prime minister for repeating a discredited claim about the Labour leader in the Commons.

Mr Johnson said Sir Keir, who was knighted for his work as the country’s most senior prosecutor, ‘used his time [in the role] prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile’.

He has attempted to row back on the comments, saying ‘I totally understand that he had nothing to do personally with those decisions’, but has refused to apologise.

While Sir Keir issued a formal apology to Savile’s victims when a report found an opportunity to hold him to justice may have been missed years earlier, he had no personal involvement in the decision not to proceed with legal action.

Mr Javid told reporters: ‘Keir Starmer, when he was running the DPP, did a good job and he should be respected for it, it is a tough job and he deserved absolute respect for that.

‘But the prime minister has also come out and clarified those remarks, and that is important.’

The PM has also seen a top aide quit over the controversy, revealing she had urged him not to say it.

Munira Mirza, widely seen as one of Mr Johnson’s most loyal supporters and a long-term ally, launched a blistering criticism in her resignation letter.

In a letter exclusively obtained by The Spectator, the policy chief wrote: ‘I believe it was wrong for you to imply this week that Keir Starmer was personally responsible for allowing Jimmy Savile to escape justice.

‘There was no fair or reasonable basis for that assertion. This was not the usual cut and thrust of politics; it was an inappropriate and partisan reference to a horrendous case of child sex abuse. 

‘You tried to clarify your position today but, despite my urging, you did not apologise for the misleading impression you gave.’

Mr Sunak openly undermined the prime minister when he was asked about the comment during a press conference.

He said: ‘Being honest I wouldn’t have said it and I’m glad that the prime minister clarified what he meant.’

As well as Ms Mirza, another four aides have left Downing Street in the last 24 hours.

Private secretary Martin Reynolds and chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, who have been linked to the partygate scandal, left their roles yesterday, along with communications chief Jack Doyle, the husband of Ms Mirza.

Elena Nazoranski, a special adviser on women and equalities, culture, and extremism, walked out this morning.

Mr Johnson has moved to rally Downing Street staff this morning, telling them ‘change is good’, his official spokesman said – a line from the Lion King.

His spokesperson added: ‘He reflected on the privilege of working in No 10 in order to deliver for the British people and reiterated his and No 10’s commitment to serving the public by keeping people safe, improving lives and spreading opportunity.

‘As he reiterated to the team today, there is an important job to do, the public expects us to be focused on it, whether it is the situation in Ukraine, recovering from the pandemic or, as the chancellor was setting out yesterday, on issues such as cost of living.’

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