May lets rip over axing of top aide
FURIOUS Theresa May hit out after the PM’s national security adviser was replaced by the Brexit chief in a Downing Street power battle.
The fuming ex-prime minister said David Frost had “no proven expertise” to take on a job so pivotal in keeping the country safe.
Mr Frost replaces chief civil servant Sir Mark Sedwill, ousted amid claims mandarins are being driven out in a radical Whitehall overhaul.
Normally restrained Mrs May was unable to hide her anger during a Commons clash with Cabinet minister Michael Gove yesterday.
She said: “I served on the National Security Council for nine years.
“During that time I listened to the expert independent advice from national security advisers.”
Distinguished
She pointed out Mr Gove had talked of promoting people “with proven expertise” and demanded: “Why then is the new national security adviser a political appointee with no proven expertise in national security?”
Sir Mark is also stepping down as Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service after reports of clashes with Dominic Cummings.
Mr Gove insisted Mr Frost, who served in the Foreign Office, worked in the private sector and later took over Brexit talks, was an expert.
He added: “We have had previous national security advisers, all excellent, not all necessarily people steeped in the security world, some of whom were distinguished diplomats in their own right.
“David Frost is a distinguished diplomat and it is appropriate the prime minister of the day should choose an adviser appropriate to the needs of the hour.” Tory MP Peter Bone said if the Government was going down the US route of making political appointments to key adviser roles, it should allow “confirmation hearings” to give the Commons a say.
But ex-Cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell said: “It’s sensible to have the national security adviser separate from the head of the Civil Service.”
Ex-ambassador to the US Lord Kerr said Mr Frost had resilience and stamina but was in a difficult position.