Boris Johnson’s compassion for Matt Hancock may have cost Tories the Batley and Spen by-election, colleagues believe

BORIS Johnson’s compassion for members of his team may have cost him a stunning by-election victory, colleagues believe.

The Prime Minister is said to have hesitated over sacking Matt Hancock because he was not the only minister with a private life in turmoil.

He was fully aware that Cabinet Office supremo Michael Gove was going through a painful divorce.

And rumours are also swirling around Westminster of at least one other minister currently facing domestic strife.

But by throwing a protective arm around the Health Secretary after he was caught snogging an adviser, the PM probably cost the Tories the Batley and Spen by-election.

A senior MP said: “Boris is loyal to those who serve in his team and watches their backs, both professionally and privately.

“He felt for Matt but was also aware of the difficulties in Michael’s home life. Deep down, he knew Matt had to go, but didn’t want to rush it because there are others in need of support too.”

Only days before Mr Gove revealed he was getting divorced, his journalist wife Sarah Vine gave a candid account of being married to a high-flying politician.

She said: “The old, ‘behind every great man there’s a woman drowning in dirty laundry’ is a cliche. But it’s true. You become so entrenched in your respective roles that you begin to drift apart.”

She added: “Climbing that far up Westminster’s greasy pole changes a person.

“And when someone changes, they require something new from a partner.

“The problem with the wife who has known you since way before you were king of the world is that she sees through your façade.”