There was also no public support from Downing Street for Lord Hague’s idea of creating a so-called “inner Cabinet”, as David Cameron had, to help guide Mr Johnson on major political decisions.
The hunt for who was behind the quotation from a “senior Downing Street source” reported by the BBC saying there was “concern” in Downing Street about the Prime Minister continued on Tuesday.
Treasury spinners reportedly denied any involvement in the anonymous briefing after it was noted that both Number 10 and Number 11 – the Chancellor’s residence – are on Downing Street.
There is a concern that the departure earlier this year of Sir Edward Lister, a senior adviser who has been by Boris Johnson’s side in Downing Street and before that in the London mayor’s office, has left a gap that has yet to be adequately filled.
Dan Rosenfield, the Number 10 chief of staff whose background is as a civil servant in the Treasury, and Simon Case, the youngest ever Cabinet Secretary, are two frequent targets for criticism from disgruntled Tory MPs.
One Tory said: “There are repeated calls for there to be more political nous in Number 10. The usual names get floated for criticism. Rosenfield is the one that people pick on most. He is not interested in Parliament or MPs.”
Another Tory MP from a “Red Wall” seat – traditional Labour territory won by the Conservatives in the 2019 election – called for similar changes. “I think there’s a growing feeling Boris needs to re-stamp his authority on Downing Street and do politics better,” the MP said.
Both Mr Rosenfield and Mr Case are in their 40s. Number 10 sources have previously rejected the idea that either could move, stressing Mr Johnson’s loyalty to his inner circle.
Ben Gascoigne, the Prime Minister’s long-term political adviser, left in the summer but has been drafted back in as deputy chief of staff to help drive through reforms.
He is described by colleagues as a political enforcer who has been brought in to “knock on doors” in government departments to make sure decisions are being implemented.
