Why has Dominic Cummings quit Downing Street?

14 November 2020, 09:02 | Updated: 14 November 2020, 14:56

Different explanations behind Dominic Cummings' departure have emerged this morning
Different explanations behind Dominic Cummings' departure have emerged this morning. Picture: PA
Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

Dominic Cummings has quit Downing Street, with UK newspapers offering a range of different reasons as to why he is departing.

Stories about the departure of Boris Johnson's key adviser are dominating British newspapers on Saturday morning.

Mr Cummings and fellow Vote Leave aide Lee Cain, who was forced out of No 10 earlier this week, will still be employed until the middle of next month and will work from their homes, according to the Press Association news agency.

However, contrasting stories explaining their exits have emerged across the UK media: from the prime minister telling them to leave "and never return", to Mr Cummings allegedly branding Mr Johnson "indecisive".

So why has Dominic Cummings quit Downing Street?

Read more: 'Not before time' - politicians react to Cummings departure

Watch: 'Writing has been on the wall' for Cummings - former special adviser

Read more: Key career moments from the PM's right-hand man

Cummings spotted leaving home for first time since quitting Downing Street

The Financial Times

According to a report in the business-focused newspaper, the prime minister held a 45-minute-long meeting with messieurs Cummings and Cain on Friday, during which he accused them of destabilising the government amid tense talks with the European Union.

The UK leader also accused the pair of briefing against him and his partner, Carrie Symonds, and was said to have shown them text messages which proved this allegation.

Mr Johnson then reportedly told the two men to leave Downing Street and never return.

The Mirror

However, a source of Mr Cain's former employer, the Daily Mirror, who is said to have knowledge of the exchange, described the FT's version of events as "horses**t".

The paper also printed a photograph showing the communications chief grinning alongside the prime minister with both wearing boxing gloves inscribed with the message "Get Brexit Done".

An unidentified source said the picture was taken hours after Mr Johnson had ordered the two figures to leave No 10.

Why has Dominic Cummings quit Downing Street?

The Times

The Times has reported that Boris told messieurs Cummings and Cain to quit for the sake of the government amid fears they would "poison the well" if they continued in their respective positions.

One anonymous senior Tory told the publication they feared Mr Cummings would try to "settle scores" after leaving.

Meanwhile, the paper also heard from other senior figures that instability could follow if the two men take other aides with them on their way out.

"The whole way decisions are made in Downing Street is going to change," a source told The Times.

Ex-Boris Johnson adviser Tim Montgomerie reacts to Dominic Cummings' departure from Downing Street

The Daily Telegraph

Mr Cummings allegedly called his former boss "indecisive" as he left No 10, according to the Telegraph, but a source told the paper the accusation was simply "the occasions when the PM won't do what he wants him to".

The publication's editorial says the adviser's departure was "probably just as well, because there can be no ambiguity at the top of government", adding: "The next few weeks could define (Mr Johnson's) premiership."

The Guardian

Other special advisers were reportedly delighted by Mr Cummings' exit, according to the Guardian.

Boris Johnson was "immediately urged to appoint an MP as his permanent chief of staff to help heal deep divisions with backbenchers amid warnings that his parliamentary party risked becoming ungovernable", the paper wrote.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn

Rebekah Vardy 'threatens to reignite war with Coleen Rooney'

Rebekah Vardy launches appeal against Wagatha Christie £1.8m costs ruling

Alexandra Palace Hosts Its Annual Fireworks Display Ahead Of Bonfire Night

Bonfire night 2024 forecast: What will the weather be like for fireworks night?

Darrian Williams

Two teen boys found guilty after 16-year-old stabbed to death by masked attackers in Bristol park

Westminster Protest

'Betrayed' farmers to protest over Labour's inheritance tax raid - as Chancellor insists changes are 'fair'

The teen was left to die by the side of road.

Six teenagers arrested after 13-year-old girl left with life-threatening injuries in East Yorkshire stabbing

Israel claims to have killed a high-ranking member of Hamas

Israel 'eliminates' one of Hamas' last high-ranking officials

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee

King Charles 'finally cuts Prince Andrew off' as he 'axes Duke's annual £1m allowance'

Claw hammer-wielding public schoolboy who attacked sleeping students and teacher handed life sentence

Pictured: Public schoolboy, 17, who attacked sleeping students and teacher with hammers he kept 'for zombie apocalypse'

Emergency and rescue personnel work at the site where a concrete outdoor roof of a train station collapsed in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad

Train station canopy collapses in Serbia, killing 8 people in horror accident, with more victims still trapped in rubble

The passengers was fined £48 despite their bag fitting.

Air passenger shames easyJet on TikTok after he was charged £48 for carry-on bag that fit perfectly into size checker

Gabriel Silvera and  Dragos Carabineanu

Thug kills father with one punch after being asked for a cigarette outside Tube station

File photo dated 26/07/24 of Ben Stokes. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, England’s Test and limited-overs captains respectively, have each signed new two-year central contracts. Issue date: Thursday October 31, 2024.

Man arrested after home of England cricket captain Ben Stokes raided by masked burglars