Next stop, the backbenches: Ex-Chancellor turned remain rebel Philip Hammond is spotted on the Tube with his suitcases after FINALLY giving up his No 11 flat two weeks after resigning
- Philip Hammond was seen on the tube this week after finally leaving Number 11
- The former Chancellor resigned hours before Boris Johnson became PM
- The arch-Remainer has promised to work to thwart No Deal from back benches
The former Chancellor of the Exchequer was snapped looking glum on the Tube this week, having lost the use of his chauffeur-driven ministerial Jaguar.
Philip Hammond kept two hands on a suitcase and hold-all as he waited for his train to depart Leicester Square station in Central London.
He stepped down from his role at the Treasury in the hours before Boris Johnson became Prime Minister last month, the arch-Remainer saying he was unable to sign up to a no deal Brexit which Mr Johnson has insisted members of his Cabinet back as a measure of last resort.
But Mr Hammond refused to give up his grace-and-favour apartment on the first floor of the Downing Street complex for two weeks, the Mail On Sunday reports today, delaying the house moves of Sajid Javid and Mr Johnson.
Philip Hammnond looks glum as he takes the Tube rather than the chauffeur-driven ministerial Jaguar he became used to in three years as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Downing Street sources said the former Chancellor was still moving possessions from the flat, usually reserved for the Treasury’s top man, on Friday morning.
A source said: ‘We know he is a rampant Remainer, but this is ridiculous.’
The flat above No 11 is significantly larger than the living quarters above Number 10, and the Blairs, Browns and Camerons lived above the Treasury HQ, in a swap with their respective Chancellors.
Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds will also take the Number 11 flat, it is understood, leaving the two-bedroom apartment above the more famous black door for Sajid Javid and his family of six.
But Theresa and Philip May stayed above Number 10, and the Hammonds above Number 11, creating a complicated game of musical chair during the handovwer.
It comes after Mr Hammond was seen moving his clothes and belongings out of Downing St last month
Outgoing Chancellor Philip Hammond was spotted loading a car with suitcases last month
However sources say there was no ill-feeling from father-of-four Mr Javid about Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie bagging the bigger accommodation.
‘Despite reports of sour grapes, they actually came to an amicable solution over their living arrangements,’ one source said.
Mr Hammond pointedly gave up the trappings of high office – including an armoured limousine – by resigning on the very day Theresa May left office.
Meanwhile, Sajid Javid’s cute cavapoo pup Bailey became the First Dog of Downing Street this weekend, as the Chancellor moved his family into his official residence.
Sajid Javid and his wife Laura who have been delayed moving in to their flat because of Philip Hammond
First Dog of Downing Street: Bailey is right at home after the Chancellor moved his family in
Bailey, above, became a breakout star of the Tory leadership election after appearing in Mr Javid’s campaign videos, and was yesterday snapped in the garden the Javids share with Boris Johnson.
On Friday, the PM asked all staff at No 10 to vote on whether he should get a rescue dog for Downing Street, with the vote overwhelmingly in favour.
A source close to the Prime Minister said: ‘Boris will always respect the result of a referendum, so that’s that.’