Christmas comes early: Dominic Cummings PM’s top adviser leaves No 10

1000

Dominic Cummings has left Downing Street after internal battles over his role as Boris Johnson’s chief adviser.

The BBC understands he will continue to work from home, on issues such as mass coronavirus testing, until the middle of December.

The prime minister is said to want to “clear the air and move on”.

Mr Cummings has been at the heart of a No 10 power struggle, which has also seen communications director Lee Cain leave.

Beth Rigby tweeted: “I am told the PM asked Cain and Cummings to leave today because of their ‘general behaviour.

One insider tells me “the PM was uncomfortable with them being the in building”

Cain is PM’s longest serving advisor. This is a particularly brutal way to exit

Several Tory MPs have welcomed the pair’s departure as a chance for Mr Johnson to make a fresh start.

The BBC’s Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Cummings departure from No 10 had been brought forward given the “upset in the team” in Downing Street, for which she said it had been a “difficult week”.

Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain are long-time colleagues, having worked together on the Leave campaign during the EU referendum.

When Mr Cain’s exit was announced on Wednesday, it prompted rumours that his ally would also step down.

In response, Mr Cummings told the BBC “rumours of me threatening to resign are invented” but said his “position hasn’t changed” since he wrote in January that he wanted to make himself “largely redundant” by the end of 2020.

It is believed Boris Johnson has asked Sir Edward Lister to take on the role of chief of staff for an interim period pending a permanent appointment to the post.

Panto season has started early this year.
#staged #cummings #pantomime

Twitter is having a storm suggesting the entire over the top flounce was staged, Panto season has started early this year. This storey seems far from over. #staged#cummings#pantomime

Support Labour Heartlands

PLEASE HELP US KEEP GOING AD-FREE

This is a "Pay as You Feel" website.

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. If you've enjoyed reading the articles on Labour Heartlands so far, We would be incredibly grateful if you could consider making a small donation. Labour Heathlands is not your typical news outlet. We are not here to simply regurgitate the daily news cycle, that's for the rest of them. Our focus is on delving deeper, uncovering the untold stories and shedding light on the issues that the mainstream media chooses to ignore.

Our unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity means that we are not influenced by any external forces. We are not beholden to PR companies, advertisers or press barons, and we refuse to let anyone dictate what we report on. Our editorial independence is sacrosanct, and our only allegiance is to the truth.

While we do not align ourselves with any particular political party, we stand firmly against corruption, injustice and the erosion of truth and the rule of law. We believe that accurate information is the lifeblood of a democracy and that facts are not up for debate.

Once again, thank you for your support – We truly couldn't do this without you!

PLEASE HELP US KEEP GOING AD-FREE