Sir John Major launches bitter attack on 'political anarchist' Dominic Cummings
2 min read
Sir John Major has launched a ferocious attack on Boris Johnson's most senior Number 10 adviser, accusing him of "poisoning the political atmosphere".
The former Prime Minister said Dominic Cummings was a "political anarchist" who should be sacked as soon as possible.
Speaking at a CBI dinner in Glasgow, Sir John also called for the reinstatement of the 21 Tory MPs booted out of the party for backing attempts to block a no-deal Brexit.
He said: "The legitimate concerns of those who have been banished from the party … seem to be worth nothing – unless they become cyphers, parroting the views of a Prime Minister influenced by a political anarchist, who cares not a fig for the future of the party I have served.
"We have seen over-mighty advisers before. It is a familiar script. It always ends badly. I offer the Prime Minister some friendly advice: get rid of these advisers before they poison the political atmosphere beyond repair. And do it quickly."
Although he did not mention Mr Cummings by name, there is no doubt that is who Sir John - a vocal critic of Mr Johnson's stance on Brexit - was referring to.
The controversial adviser, who is effectively the Prime Minister's chief of staff, has been blamed for the strident approach to dealing with disloyalty.
A row broke out last week after Mr Cummings sacked a top aide to Sajid Javid after accusing her of being in touch with a former colleague of Philip Hammond.
After her dismissal, she was given a police escort out of 10 Downing Street.
Elsewhere in his speech, Sir John - who is also part of a legal case against the Prime Minister's decision to prorogue Parliament for five weeks - welcomed the passage of a rebel bill to block a no-deal Brexit.
He said: "This week, Westminster flexed its muscles, and done what every democratic Parliament has a duty to do: call the Government to account. Some Conservative members have put their conscience above all else.
"It is time for others, of all parties, to dig deep into their souls and answer one question: am I here to serve the interests of my Party, or the wellbeing of my country? Upon their answer, all our futures depend."
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