Sajid Javid confronted Boris Johnson after the prime minister’s top strategist, Dominic Cummings, sacked the chancellor’s media advisor following a confrontation in Downing Street, it has been reported.

Sonia Khan, who was a special adviser to former chancellor Philip Hammond and continued in the role under Mr Javid, has now left her position at the Treasury, The Independent understands.

The prime minister’s right-hand man summoned Ms Khan to No 10 for a short meeting before she was escorted out of the building, according to reports.

Her government security passes were confiscated and she was walked out by a police officer, according to The Huffington Post, which first reported her departure.

Mr Javid was “absolutely furious” over the decision, The Times reported. A former Whitehall staff member who worked there under Theresa May’s tenure told The Guardian a “culture of fear” had taken hold.

Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Show all 29 1 /29 Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament An anti-Brexit supporter raises a sign during a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament to Downing Street TOPSHOT - Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a protest march from Britain's Houses of Parliament to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday that the suspension of parliament would be extended until October 14 -- just two weeks before the UK is set to leave the EU -- enraging anti-Brexit MPs. MPs will return to London later than in recent years, giving pro-EU lawmakers less time than expected to thwart Johnson's Brexit plans before Britain is due to leave the European Union on October 31. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament epa07799808 A protestor outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit.. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Whitehall TOPSHOT - Demonstrators hold placards as they protest on Whitehall, near the entrance to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Protestors from the European Movement in Scotland hold a walking vigil on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Jane Barlow PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters shout slogans as they gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament, London, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire Kirsty O'Connor PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament epa07799846 Protesters gather outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters carry a flare near the Cenotaph in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters continue to participate in a late evening protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament London metropolitan police talk with anti-Brexit supporters in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: A Pro-EU supporter raises her fist during a protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images

Government sources insisted there were no trust issues between the prime minister and Mr Javid following the abrupt firing of Ms Khan.

There is no indication Ms Khan was told to leave the job because of recent Downing Street leaks to the press.

Mr Cummings is believed to have recently told all Whitehall’s special advisers – or “spads” – that he would personally intervene to sack them if he found out about leaks.

No 10 has been at odds with Mr Hammond ever since the handover of power at Downing Street in July.

The former chancellor denied being the source of the leak of Operation Yellowhammer, the Whitehall dossier which set out many of the possible negative impacts of a no-deal Brexit.

An anonymous Downing Street source has suggested it was “deliberately leaked by a former minister in an attempt to influence discussions with EU leaders”.

Mr Hammond later demanded an apology from the prime minister for the “implication ... that a minister in the last government had retained and then leaked a copy of this document”.

Earlier this month, Mr Hammond criticised Mr Johnson for allowing “unelected people” to “pull the strings” in Downing Street – remarks widely seen as a personal attack on Cummings and his powerful role in shaping No 10 policy.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on individual staffing and personnel matters.”