Sajid Javid delivers swift Labour put down during first Commons spot as Health Secretary

Sajid Javid shuts down Burgon over 'second job' claim

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Former Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon took aim at Health Secretary Sajid Javid during his first House of Commons appearance in his new position. But Richard Burgon spared no niceties and quickly attacked Sajid Javid for his lucrative second and third jobs in banking and the Government’s reluctance to give NHS workers a pay rise. Mr Javid pushed aside the comments and delivered a swift blow to Mr Burgon. 

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Javid said he could see “no reason” for lockdown to be extended beyond July 19. 

Mr Javid is a known lockdown sceptic and has reportedly been welcomed by fellow Tory backbenchers who share his scepticism. 

But as he fielded questions from across the house, Mr Burgon asked a question about his personal finances. 

He said: “The new Health Secretary hasn’t been on the frontbench for a year but in that time he has been very busy.

“Very busy indeed lining his own pockets, getting £1,500 per hour for his second job, £1,500 for his third job as well.”

Mr Javid rejoined banking firm JP Morgan when he returned to the backbenchers for an undisclosed salary – but is understood to be leaving since taking up the Health Secretary role.

Mr Burgon continued: “All while NHS staff, at Seacroft Hospital and St James’s Hospital in my constituency, have been working harder than ever getting our communities through this Covid crisis.

“Given that the secretary of state has done very well out of the last year, bagging hundreds of thousands of pounds during a national crisis.

“Wouldn’t it be the height of hypocrisy if the new Health Secretary refused our NHS staff the pay rise they so clearly deserve?”

Mr Javid sauntered over to the dispatch box and bluntly said: “The honourable gentlemen is going to have to try a lot harder than that.”

Other MPs were heard laughing at the response which saw speaker Lindsay Hoyle move quickly away from.

Political pundits saw Mr Javid’s first Commons outing as Health Secretary as a departure from predecessor Matt Hancock who had been criticised for being too cautious.

DON’T MISS
Boris breaks silence on Hancock resignation- defends Javid appointment [INSIGHT]
Lockdown announcement today: What time is Sajid Javid’s update? [EXPLAINER]
Sajid Javid: Why he quit as Chancellor under Boris and why he’s back [ANALYSIS]

Mr Hancock stepped down from his position following leaked footage of him snogging his aide Gina Colangelo.

The Government has now launched an investigation to figure out how the footage was leaked to The Sun newspaper with the Labour Party calling it a “major security breach”.

Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner also attacked the Government during a House of Commons urgent questions following reports ministers use private emails to conduct government business. 

But Ms Rayner was quickly reminded the policy had been put in place for a long time and had many safeguards and balances to ensure private correspondence was transparent and monitored. 

Source: Read Full Article