Theresa May plot: Prime Minister’s last attempt to hinder Boris Johnson - 'stitch up'

Theresa May plot: Prime Minister’s last attempt to hinder Boris Johnson - 'stitch up'

BORIS JOHNSON could be derailed by Theresa May in a last ditch attempt to bind the hands of the next Tory leader.

Mrs May is attempting to push through a £27billion cash boost for the education budget in her final weeks as Prime Minister which is prompting a row with senior ministers who believe it is a booby trap for Mr Johnson. The Prime Minister is demanding a three-year funding settlement for schools and teachers to secure her “legacy”, after she pushed for an NHS funding increase last year, according to The Sunday Telegraph. Mrs May is planning to ask for Cabinet approval for the cash boost on Tuesday.

Government sources are insisting she is “still Prime Minister” and “education is very high on her list of priorities”.

However, her plan is being resisted by the Treasury who claim it would be “immoral” as it could hinder Mrs May’s successor.

A Whitehall figurehead said: “It really has to be a decision for the next person.

“It is just not moral for the PM to make this commitment.”

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Mrs May’s education boost would cost the Government around £7billion a year on resources and an extra £2billion a year on capital expenditure which includes books and building repairs.

Her plan would not require legislation and is the biggest of a series of “legacy projects” she is attempting to secure before she leaves No.10.

One Cabinet minister said they thought the Prime Minister was attempting to “stitch up” a deal with the Treasury and then coerce ministers into signing it off ahead of a public announcement.

They said: “It looks like a desperate attempt to rescue her reputation. This is exactly the way Mrs May has operated as Prime Minister – not least on Brexit.

“There should be a proper process of discussions with other departments that could be losing out as a result of the spending. Those discussions have not been taking place. It is being done secretly.”

Chancellor Philip Hammond is said to have insisted the next decision over funding should be a decision for the next Prime Minister.

It comes as Mr Johnson set out to pursue his own “blue-collar conservatism agenda” in government “particularly in relation to supporting schools, police and other public services”.

Former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey, who was slashed from the leadership race last week revealed she will endorse Mr Johnson.

Mr Johnson and his contenders are now attempting to garner the support of Matt Hancock, Andrea Leadsom and Mark Harper who dropped out of the race last week.

Theresa May plot: Prime Minister’s last attempt to hinder Boris Johnson,BORIS JOHNSON could be derailed by Theresa May in a last ditch,attempt to bind the hands of the next Tory leader,Former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey,who was slashed from the leadership race last week revealed,she will endorse Mr Johnson,Mr Johnson and his contenders are now attempting to garner the,support of Matt Hancock,Andrea Leadsom and Mark Harper who dropped out of the race last week,