At a time when the UK’s international financial credibility is on the line, the chancellor concluded it was a better option to bail out early of a gathering of finance ministers, at the world’s financial institutions in Washington, than stay put.
Why? Because 3,600 miles away, the prime minister was in discussions with Conservative MPs and others – their entire joint programme for government hovering above the shredder.
I’m told Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng were in touch yesterday and it was his decision to make a dash for it to come home early.
He does so knowing that the centerpiece of his few short days as chancellor sits on the rim of the bin, as does his reputation and his career.
Tory MPs at every level of the party are suggesting he could be out of his job soon too.
But earlier, a Downing Street source told me that “the chancellor is doing an excellent job and they [the PM and chancellor] are in lockstep”.
So does Truss want him to continue in the job in the coming months? “Yes”, is the answer.
It is going to be a very interesting day in Westminster. It would not be a surprise if an almighty U-turn happens and happens today.
Source:BBC.com, Chris Mason