Dominic Cummings, the controversial mastermind of the 2016 campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, will quit as Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s top aide once Brexit is completed later this year, reports said Friday.
Johnson’s chief adviser, a divisive figure who has carved out a uniquely powerful role in government, told the BBC late Thursday recent speculation that he was threatening to resign were “invented”.
But amid a power struggle within Downing Street that has spilled into public view this week, Cummings reiterated comments made in a blogpost in January that he would make himself “largely redundant” within a year.
“My position hasn’t changed since my January blog,” Cummings told the broadcaster, which quoted a senior government source as saying he would leave his job by Christmas.
Cummings departure then would coincide with the end of the Brexit transition period, when Britain embarks on life outside of European Union rules and regulations on January 1.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News on Friday,
“He’ll be missed but then again, we’ll be moving into a different phase, In any government, you require people who are going to shake things up and come along with ideas, he’s actually been that person.”
Cummings, an enigmatic figure with an unconventional dress style and combative approach to politics, was appointed chief adviser by Johnson when he took power in July 2019.
He helped to secure a thumping election victory last December, but his reportedly controlling style and frequent clashes with colleagues are said to have led to persistent tensions.
He courted damaging controversy earlier this year after making a cross-country journey during the coronavirus lockdown which appeared to breach strict regulations he had helped to design.
Cummings, who had Covid-19 symptoms at the time while his wife had contracted the virus, claimed it was necessary to ensure he had childcare options for their young son.
His actions prompted a furious public and a political backlash but he refused to resign and Johnson stood by him at considerable political cost.
Cummings has since helped to spearhead the government’s response to the pandemic, and is thought to be the architect of Johnson’s “moonshot” plan for millions of daily tests to allow those without coronavirus to circulate freely.
Downing Street has faced sustained criticism over its centralised handling of the crisis.
Britain has seen more than 50,000 deaths in the outbreak the highest in Europe and a second wave shows few signs of abating.
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