Bank of England Governor Mark Carney WON’T quit mid-Brexit over row with PM, say pals
The finance boss was expected to step down from his role in 2018, following heavy criticism from Theresa May
Bank of England boss Mark Carney won't jump ship in the middle of Brexit allies claimed last night, despite recent attacks from top Tories.
The Canadian financier hinted last week that he may not extend his contract beyond 2018, and at he weekend a pal said he’s ready to walk because of Theresa May.
But last night his friends said he was ready to serve beyond 2020 and could make a market calming announcement on his future as soon as this week.
Mr Carney has been at the centre of a political row with the government about the direction of the Bank all month.
A friend of the Bank of England Governor told the Sunday Times: “I don’t think he’s been overly impressed by the professionalism of No10” following a public run in with the PM.
Mr Carney hit back saying: “The objectives are what are set by the politicians, the policies are done by technocrats.”
Adding: “We are not going to take instruction on our policies from the political side.”
But in a new twist the Sunday Times reported that friends of Mr Carney believe his “intention had been to try become the Canadian Prime Minister” before popular Justin Trudeau got the job last year.
A Whitehall source hit out: “You can’t hold yourself out as a neutral technocrat if you’re trying to machinate your way into politics.”
Mr Carney has been at the centre of a political row with the government about the direction of the Bank in recent weeks.
Michael Gove accused him of acting like an evil Ming emperor who “flayed alive” anyone who “dared to question his rule”.
It came on the back of former Foreign Secretary William Hague claiming savers were finding it “impossible to earn a worthwhile return” while Mr Carney maintained ultra-low interest rates.
The comments came in defence of criticism by Theresa May of the Bank’s policy low rates and quantitative easing.
The PM said that Mr Carney’s monetary policy had “bad side effects”.
But it later emerged No10 had to contact the bank privately after the speech to soothe concerns.
The growing speculation about the Governor’s future here in the UK came as The Bank of England is expected to keep the interest rate at 0.25 per cent on Thursday following better-than-predicted economic growth in the months since the EU referendum.