Brexit news: Boris replaces Cummings with George Osborne’s right hand man Dan Rosenfield | UK | News (Reports)

0
483

Today the Prime Minister appointed former Treasury official, Dan Rosenfield as his new chief of staff. Mr Rosenfield was a key adviser to Mr Osborne during his time in Government, with the former Chancellor becoming notorious for his doomsday Brexit economic forecasts. Although it is unclear how Mr Rosenfield voted in the 2016 Brexit referendum, his arrival in No10 comes after the departure of key Leave campaign members, Lee Cain and Dominic Cummings.

Mr Cummings left after his Vote Leave colleague was snubbed for the chief of staff role at Downing Street.

In a further exodus of Brexiteers, political adviser and ally of Mr Cummings, Cleo Watson is also set to leave her position.

However, Ms Watson’s departure is not thought to be the last with further Leave voters now expected.

One Whitehall source told the Financial Times: “More Vote Leave people are going to leave now Dom has gone.”

Brexit news: Former Osborne aide appointed in No10

Brexit news: Former Osborne aide appointed in No10 (Image: PA/GETTY)

Brexit news: Mr Johnson has faced an internal power struggle

Brexit news: Mr Johnson has faced an internal power struggle (Image: PA)

Mr Rosenfield served as an adviser in the Treasury for 11 years and was most recently a partner at Hakluyt, a corporate intelligence firm.

He arrives in No10 amid an internal power struggle at Downing Street.

It is understood the Prime Minister’s fiancée, Carrie Symonds had opposed Mr Cain taking the chief of staff position.

Following Mr Cummings’ departure, some MPs within the party have called on the Prime Minister to reset his tenure at Downing Street.

JUST IN: Brexit LIVE: Boris Johnson told to walk away now

Brexit news: Lee Cain and Mr Cummings

Brexit news: Lee Cain and Mr Cummings (Image: PA)

Sir Bernard Jenkin, Tory MP for Harwich and North Essex, said: “It’s an opportunity to reset how the government operates and to emphasise some values about what we want to project as a Conservative party in government.

“I’m not surprised in a way that it is ending in the way it is.

“No Prime Minister can afford a single adviser to become a running story, dominating his government’s communications and crowding out the proper messages the government wants to convey.

“Nobody is indispensable.”

DON’T MISS

Barnier to hold urgent meeting with EU fishing ministers [Latest]
Spain warned Gibraltar’s sovereignty is non-negotiable  [Update]
Big Brexit Sell-Out is underway, new Fishing Bill is Remainer’s joke [Insight]

Brexit news: Dominic Cummings leaves No10

Brexit news: Dominic Cummings leaves No10 (Image: PA)

Brexit news: The two adviser will leave in December

Brexit news: The two adviser will leave in December (Image: PA)

Sir Roger Gale, MP for North Thanet said No10 needed to concentrate on Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic rather than Mr Cummings’ departure.

He said: “Frankly, this is a distraction that cannot and should not be allowed to take place, and the Prime Minister has got to get a grip on it.”

The departure of the two prominent Vote Leave campaigners comes as talks have so far failed to produce a trade deal with the EU. 

On Tuesday, Michel Barnier warned Lord Frost talks would be pointless unless the UK changed its stance.

Brexit endgame

Brexit endgame (Image: Express)

It is now unclear if talks will resume tomorrow between Mr Barnier and Lord Frost.

Talks had also been scheduled over the weekend in London as the two sides just have 36 days to go until the end of the transition period on January 1.

EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen said: “These are decisive days for negotiations with the United Kingdom.

Brexit news: George Osborne and Boris Johnson

Brexit news: George Osborne and Boris Johnson (Image: PA)

“But, frankly, I cannot tell you today if in the end, there will be a deal.

“We will do all in our power to reach an agreement. We’re ready to be creative.

“But we are not ready to put into question the integrity of the single market, the main safeguard for European prosperity and wealth.”

LEAVE A REPLY

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.