Dominic Cummings has left his job as senior advisor to the prime minister.
Downing Street sources made the claim on Thursday night that Cummings was to quit. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed Mr Cummings’ departure the following morning.
Original reports claimed that the chief advisor had planned to leave before the end of the year, coinciding with the Brexit transition period coming to an end on December 31st.
But as of Friday evening, Cummings has already stood down from his post.
He told the BBC “rumours of me threatening to resign are invented”, after speculation arose throughout the week. But also stated that “my position hasn’t changed since my January blog”.
In a blog post in January the controversial aide suggested that his role would be “largely redundant” by the end of the year.
Infographic by Jack Sanders (via Canva)
“He’ll be missed… but advisers come and go,” the Transport Secretary said, “In any government, you require people who are going to shake things up and come up with ideas, and he’s actually been that person.”
Torie Backbenchers have expressed their criticism over the in-house drama going on behind the scenes.
Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale said Mr Cummings had “become a distraction” and a “malign influence at the centre of Downing Street for too long”, going on to suggest “It’s right that he should go.”
When interviewed by Sky News another Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said: “Let’s move a little bit away from EastEnders and more to the West Wing.”
Many other political and media figures have tweeted their opinions on Mr Cummings exit from Downing Street:
David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham tweeted:
Like rats fleeing a sinking ship. Dominic Cummings has been one of the most malign influences on the British government in modern history. His legacy is one of bullying, deception, hypocrisy and hubris. The super-forecaster who ignored the pandemic. His damage is irreparable.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 13, 2020
While Piers Morgan shared his views on what Cummings legacy may leave behind:
During Dominic Cummings' year in No10, he masterminded the worst health & economic response in Europe to the covid pandemic (worsened by his own breaking of lockdown rules) & an ongoing Brexit deal fiasco.
If that's the work of a 'genius', I'd hate to see the work of a halfwit. pic.twitter.com/I13iGOwCJm— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 13, 2020
ITV’s Paul Brand questioned the loyalty the PM has shown to Cummings and whether it has been worth it:
Boris Johnson expended huge political capital on Dominic Cummings. The trip to Barnard Castle was arguably the most damaging story of his premiership so far, shattering public trust mid-pandemic.
Was it all worth it to keep Cummings for another six months?
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) November 13, 2020
Darren Grimes tweeted his worry for the future of the government without Cummings:
https://twitter.com/darrengrimes_/status/1327173852749828097
And Professor Paul Bernal joked:
But apart from screwing up Brexit, buggering up the civil service, undermining public health and trust in science and in government, encouraging eugenicists and white supremacists, what has Dominic Cummings ever done for Britain?
— Prof Paul Bernal (@PaulbernalUK) November 13, 2020
Words by: Jack Sanders | Subbing: Grace Staley