Dominic Cummings Declares War On Boris Johnson

Dominic Cummings has launched an extraordinary attack on the Prime Minister, accusing him of quashing a leak inquiry to protect his fiancée and of "possibly illegal" plans over the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.

In a 1,000-word blog post, Boris Johnson's former chief adviser claimed that the Cabinet Secretary had identified Henry Newman, then an aide to Michael Gove and "best friend" of Carrie Symonds, as the source of a damaging leak which forced England into lockdown last October.

He alleges that the Prime Minister then personally asked him if it was possible to stop the leak inquiry because it would cause him "very serious problems" with his fiancée.

Mr Newman was promoted to a key role in Downing Street following Mr Cumming's departure.

Mr Cummings also accused the Prime Minister of "possibly illegal" behaviour over allegations he had drawn up plans for Conservative Party donors to pay for the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.

"The PM stopped speaking to me about this matter in 2020 as I told him I thought his plans to have donors secretly pay for the renovation were unethical, foolish, possibly illegal and almost certainly broke the rules on proper disclosure of political donations if conducted in the way he intended," the former adviser said.

Mr Cummings, who was forced out of Downing Street last year, calls for an inquiry into the Government’s conduct during the pandemic and says he is prepared to publish all his emails and messages in relation to his work with the Prime Minister.

"It is sad to see the PM and his office fall so far below the standards of competence and integrity the country deserves," he said.

The broadside came within hours of The Telegraph and other newspapers disclosing that senior Number 10 sources were blaming Mr Cummings for a series of damaging leaks of the Prime Minister's messages to businessman Sir James Dyson and Mohammad Bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

In a statement released Friday night, Mr Cummings denied being the source of leaks about Sir James, and said he was not the so-called "chatty rat" who leaked details of England's second lockdown.

Number 10 has hit back, denying that any rules had been broken or that Mr Johnson had intervened in the leak inquiry.

A No 10 spokesman said: “This government is entirely focused on fighting coronavirus, delivering vaccines and building back better.”

On the flat allegation, the spokesman said: “At all times, the Government and ministers have acted in accordance with the appropriate codes of conduct and electoral law. Cabinet Office officials have been engaged and informed throughout and official advice has been followed.

He added: "The PM has never interfered in a government leak inquiry."

With the Government braced for further revelations to emerge this weekend, The Telegraph has learned that another of the Prime Minister's key advisers is leaving his role.







Source: Telegraph
Image Source: Getty Images