Boris Johnson job move rumours 'spark fears' over David Davis role
2 min read
Allies of David Davis fear the Brexit Secretary is being marginalised and could be further pushed into the shadows if Boris Johnson changes job, it has been reported.
Theresa May is said to be mulling a major shakeup of her top team that could see the Foreign Secretary demoted and handed a new role in the Department for Business with special say over Brexit.
But the rumours have sparked concerns among those around Mr Davis that his authority could be further eroded by the flamboyant Mr Johnson.
He has already been stripped of some of his influence after the Prime Minister moved his top aide and Brexit co-ordinator Olly Robbins into Downing Street to report directly to her.
An ally of the Brexit Secretary told the Daily Telegraph: "The role of the Brexit Secretary is being impinged on right, left and centre. I am seriously concerned that David Davis is being marginalised.
"If you look at the way Olly Robbins has usurped his function, and now you have this. I’m getting really quite concerned about David’s role.
"This suggestion that Boris should take on some of his ministerial functions. It does seem to me that there would be a loss of focus if Boris was to take on a bigger Brexit role."
Other ministers reportedly in line for the chop are Tory chair Patrick McLoughlin, Education Secretary Justine Greening, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom.
BREXIT 'DELIVERY PHASE'
Meanwhile, Mr Davis is reportedly set to tell mandarins they have “no excuses” for failing to be ready for Brexit - including a no deal scenario - in a bid to speed up the planning process.
A Whitehall source told the same paper: "In the New Year the Government is moving from a planning phase to a delivery phase. We will be removing the excuses some departments have for not being ready.
"The intention is to ensure we are ready to deliver Brexit whatever is negotiated in Brussels, and while the chance of a 'no deal' scenario has fallen, we will still be prepared."
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