the prime minister's most senior and
influential advisor dominic cummings has
left downing street for good
he walked out of number 10 very publicly
this afternoon after clearing his desk
infighting at the heart of government
spilled out into the public eye this
week as downing street's director of
communications lee kane resigned
dominic cummings a close ally was
expected to stay on until the end of the
year
but after a conversation with boris
johnson today it was decided he should
go immediately
this report from our deputy political
editor vicky young contains flash
photography
leaving for the final time one of the
most influential figures in westminster
propelled out of the door
after a power struggle that erupted
publicly and left downing street in
turmoil
dominic cummings has been at boris
johnson's side for years and
made plenty of enemies the prime
minister's been persuaded he needs a
different style of government
which means no place for some of his
most loyal advisors
dominic cummings made his name as a
formidable campaigner
first against the uk joining the euro it
was the eu referendum that forged his
relationship with boris johnson
and he was credited with the winning
slogan take back control
but the move into government threw up
different challenges mr cummings was
ruthless with those he didn't consider
to be loyal he was dismissive of the
cabinet
conservative mps and the civil service
parliament was controversially suspended
when it tried to block a no deal brexit
although he wasn't a member of the
conservative party
he masterminded a huge election victory
appealing to leave voters in the north
of england
well he was always someone who would
sort of shake things up he didn't take
things uh
as if just because they've been been
done that way
that they couldn't be done any other way
and it's always good i think to have
people who
challenge uh challenge the system and
challenge the way things are done
has obviously been very influential in
in that way
but the kovid pandemic left little room
for his ambitious reforms
and then there was the infamous trip to
barnard castle
while millions followed the rules and
stayed at home mr cummings drove
hundreds of miles to county durham
and was later forced to explain his
actions we agreed that we should go for
a short drive to see if i could drive
safely
there was uproar but mr johnson stuck by
him
today many tory mps are glad he's gone
mr cummings has been liability
i would like the prime minister to see
this as an opportunity
to muck out the stables to get in the
team of people that he really needs and
deserves behind him
every day the people working in that
building make important decisions
that affect every one of us and this
week the prime minister's decided he
wants
a new team to do that conservative mps
hope that it'll mean
a different tone from the government
less division less aggression
what we don't know is whether it will
mean a change in policy direction
and only the prime minister can decide
that
the influence of boris johnson's fiancee
has also played its part in this drama
carrie simon's worked for the
conservative party for years and was
said to be unhappy with the team around
him
others are already enjoying the
limelight this is a face we'll all be
seeing much more of
former journalist allegra stratton will
speak for the prime minister
at new daily press conferences the aim
is a smoother operation
i was at a meeting this afternoon
between boris johnson dominic cummings
and former director of communications
lee kane
that was is decided that they should
leave immediately i'm told the prime
minister wanted to clear the air
and move on but there are already very
different versions of what went on
at that meeting circulating and i think
that's a sign of just how fractious
this whole thing has become as for the
mood amongst conservative mps
many have predicted for quite some time
that it would end like this
one said to me tonight it's time to just
rejoice
that they've gone vicky young and
westminster thank you