Rishi Sunak has been branded “weak” and “determined” after it emerged he needed to carry again Dominic Cummings to assist the Tories win the subsequent election.
The controversial adviser left Downing Road in 2020 following a controversy-filled spell as Boris Johnson’s prime aide.
Regardless of masterminding the Conservatives’ landslide election victory the 12 months earlier than, relations between him and the previous prime minister deteriorated through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cummings got here in for intense criticism after he was alleged to have damaged lockdown guidelines by taking his household to his dad and mom’ residence in Northumberland.
He was noticed visiting Barnard Fortress – a visit he later claimed was essential so he may check his eyesight.
Cummings’ fame has taken an additional battering through the Covid inquiry amid claims of a “poisonous tradition” inside No.10 when he labored there.
Within the Sunday Instances, Cummings revealed he had held secret talks with Sunak in July.
“He needed a secret deal by which I delivered the election and he promised to take authorities critically after the election,” Cummings stated.
“However I’d moderately the Tories lose than proceed in workplace with out prioritising what’s vital and the voters.”
He added: “I stated I used to be solely ready to construct a political machine to smash Labour and win the election if he would decide to No.10 actually prioritising essentially the most vital issues, just like the scandal of nuclear weapons infrastructure, pure and engineered pandemics, the scandal of MoD procurement, AI and different technological capabilities, and the damaged core authorities establishments which we began fixing in 2020 however Boris deserted.”
Labour and the Lib Dems each condemned Sunak’s choice to attempt to get Cummings again on the coronary heart of the Tory machine.
Shadow Cupboard Workplace minister Jon Ashworth stated: “Out of contact Rishi Sunak is asking the mistaken query if he thinks the lockdown rule-breaking architect of Boris Johnson’s failed premiership is the reply.
“After promising to revive integrity to Downing Road, he’s secretly begging Mr Barnard Fortress to run Downing Road once more.
“From Cameron to Cummings, the Prime Minister is admitting he’s out of concepts and too weak to give you his personal.
“Irrespective of how determined Rishi Sunak will get, the British folks have had sufficient of Tory mortgage distress, tax will increase and file waits within the NHS.
“Sunak’s reliance on the ghosts of Tory previous proves solely Labour can supply the change our nation is crying out for.”
A Lib Dem spokesperson stated: “It is a determined transfer from a determined Prime Minister.
“Taking recommendation from an individual who was integral to a different failed Conservative Premiership simply additional underlines this.
“Rishi Sunak is aware of that voters have rejected him and the Conservative celebration.
“It’s time for a common election and for this sorry excuse for a authorities to depart workplace.”