RISHI Sunak was last night embroiled in a row over claims he tried to block extra cash for terror cops days before an attack on London’s streets.
Multiple Tory sources say Mr Sunak — now running for Prime Minister — “fought tooth and nail” against a £90million cash hike for counter terrorism policing in late 2019 while chief secretary to the Treasury.
Rishi Sunak was last night embroiled in a row over claims he tried to block extra cash for terror cops days before an attack on London’s streets
Multiple Tory sources say Mr Sunak ‘fought tooth and nail’ against a £90million cash hike for counter terrorism policing in late 2019
The Met Police’s then assistant commissioner Neil Basu was warning the Home Office that front line anti-terror services would have to be cut without additional funds.
Mr Sunak denies he had to be overruled by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to release the cash — just days before jihadi Usman Khan stabbed two students to death in the Fishmonger’s Hall attack at London Bridge.
But a senior source directly involved in the talks told HOAR: “Rishi was reticent to provide our specialist police with the necessary resources they need to support them.
“He had to be overruled by Boris to ensure they maintained appropriate funding.”
Mr Sunak’s spokesman dismissed this as untrue, and insisted: “This funding was for a new HQ building, not for police training or provisions.”
One former Cabinet Minister told the Sun: “Can you imagine what would have happened if it emerged we had cut terror police funding just days before an attack.
“We’ve consistently seen Rishi get big judgement calls wrong. He talks a good game but doesn’t deliver when it matters.”
A source on PM wannabe Liz Truss’s campaign hit out: “This revelation will strike fear in the hearts of Brits.
“Rishi Sunak must urgently explain why he doesn’t think stopping terrorist attacks is a good use of public money.”
