Dominic Cummings exit is chance to ‘rebuild relations with Conservative MPs’, says Theresa May’s former chief of staff

Dominic Cummings, special advisor for Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, in London
REUTERS
Daniel O'Mahony14 November 2020
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The departure of Dominic Cummings from Downing Street is a chance to “set a less confrontational and more unifying tone” with Conservative MPs, according to Theresa May’s former chief of staff.

Lord Gavin Barwell suggested that Mr Cummings’ exit had given Boris Johnson an “opportunity…to get his Downing Street operation more harmonious and more effective”.

The senior advisor was photographed leaving Number 10 carrying a large box on Friday evening following a bitter dispute which also led to the resignation of Mr Cummings’ fellow Vote Leave veteran Lee Cain as communications chief this week.

Some media reports have said Mr Cummings has quit his post with immediate effect. According to the PA news agency, he and Mr Cain will still be employed until the middle of next month, with other reports suggesting Mr Cummings will work from home on projects such as mass testing.

Lord Barwell said the shake-up could help “rebuild relations with Conservative MPs” who had felt sidelined by a Downing Street machine controlled by Mr Cummings.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It feels to me that there’s an opportunity here for [Boris Johnson] to get his Downing Street operation more harmonious and more effective.


“And, perhaps, to set a less confrontational and more unifying tone, that is maybe more in tune with his natural instincts.”


BRITAIN-POLITICS
Out with the old: Dominic Cummings leaves his home in London today
AFP via Getty Images

Former Brexit secretary David Davis said the Prime Minister had been “very dependant” on Mr Cummings for a long time.

“There has been a general feeling that the, sort of power, has been hoarded in Downing Street," he told Times Radio.

Sir Edward Lister has been announced as the interim chief of staff pending a permanent appointment.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Sajid Javid, the former chancellor who was ousted in February after clashing with Mr Cummings, is in the running for the job.

The dramatic events have come with Brexit headed to a crucial phase next week, as London seeks a trade deal with Brussels ahead of the end of the transition period on December 31.

With reporting by PA 

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