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Sajid Javid July 22 banner.JPG
Reuters
Sajid Javid July 22.JPG
Reuters
Politics

Sajid Javid says words at National Prayer Breakfast inspired resignation decision

by Marcus Jones

The outgoing Health Secretary has said being at the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, which was sponsored by Premier, inspired him to quit his role.

Sajid Javid resigned on Tuesday, 5th July, saying he could no longer serve under the Prime Minister.

Speaking about that decision in the Commons on Wednesday, he said words spoken at the prayer breakfast had a big impact.

"We began our day together you [House Speaker], I, my right honourable friend, the Prime Minister and members from across his house when we broke bread together at the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast. We listened, all of us, to the words of Rev Les Isaac, who spoke about the responsibility that comes with leadership, the responsibility to serve the interests of others above your own, and to seek common ground of your party, your community, and above all, your country.

Addressing colleagues in what was a second resignation after he prevously left the role of Chancellor, he said: "It doesn't matter what your political perspective is, in this house. 

"I believe that we are all motivated by the national interest, and that the public expects us all, all of us, to maintain honesty and to maintain integrity in whatever we do. This is not an abstract matter."

Javid's resignation, along with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, came on a day which started with over 700 politicians and church leaders joining for prayer in Parliament's Westminster Hall.

Those gathered heard an address from Street Pastors founder Rev Les Isaac.

He said: "God gives his people the capacity to be compassionate, not living for themselves, but living for others, and seeking to demonstrate that compassion for the weak and the poor, and the marginalised and those who are in distress. 

"At the centre of our lives is Jesus, and a desire to be like Hhm, and to fulfill his purpose here on Earth. 

"Many men and women are quietly demonstrating service humbly and compassionately for the common good of the community, of society of, their city and their nation. 

"But there's a challenge for us, whether we're politicians, whether we are church leaders, there's a challenge for us to work in a collaborative way. To work where we can work for the common good with everyone within our community."

Despite over 30 ministers and aides resigning, Boris Johnson has said he will keep going with the "colossal mandate" he was handed by voters in 2019.

 
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