PM ‘left door open’ for Cain and Cummings
Insiders says Johnson gave a warm leaving speech for Lee Cain and hoped ‘the band’ may work together
BORIS JOHNSON gave a leaving speech for his departing communications chief, Lee Cain, in which he insisted the two would “continue to be friends”, it has emerged.
Mr Cain resigned last week after the Prime Minister’s fiancée, Carrie Symonds, vetoed his promotion to chief of staff, which also led to the departure of his senior adviser, Dominic Cummings.
Allies of the Prime Minister fear the two men could present a danger to the Prime Minister if they bear any grudges over their departures.
Both were told to leave No 10 on Friday, although they had wanted to work in the building until Christmas, after Mr Johnson suggested it would be better for morale if they stayed away following days of infighting.
Mr Cummings was accused of briefing against the Prime Minister by saying he was “indecisive” and people were forced to go to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove when they wanted decisions made.
Yesterday George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, suggested that Mr Cummings would “do his own thing” .
But while Mr Cummings left No 10 with little ceremony, carrying his belongings in a cardboard box, The Daily Telegraph has learnt that Mr Johnson gave a leaving speech for Mr Cain, who stayed in No 10 for hours after Mr Cummings had departed.
One member of staff said: “It was a very warm speech. The Prime Minister talked about how good a friend Lee had been and how they would continue to be friends. It was a nice gesture.”
Former journalist Mr Cain was then “banged out” by colleagues – a tradition borrowed from Fleet Street to show affection for a departing co-worker.
Allies of Mr Cain and Mr Cummings claim the Prime Minister has even left the door open to them working again in future.
One source said that in the midday meeting last Friday, in which Mr Johnson told the two men to leave, “the PM said he hoped one day the band could get back together at a suitable point. So maybe they will end up working on the 2024 election campaign, who knows”.
Mr Cain has told friends he holds no animosity towards the Prime Minister, and believes his boss was put in an “i mpossible position” when Ms Symonds intervened in Mr Johnson’s offer of a promotion to Mr Cain. He has said he still considers the Prime Minister a friend and will “always be happy to help him in future if called on”.
Mr Cummings’ plans are less clear. One close friend described him as a “mercurial figure” who will do “whatever interests him”, and will continue working for No 10 until mid-december, finishing his work on mass testing.
Mr Eustice told “Dominic Cummings is a force of nature. He will do his own thing, I’m sure. But look, as far as we’re concerned, there’s obviously been an episode.”
Asked if there were now fears Mr Cummings, who has his own blog, might make life difficult for the Prime Minister, he said: “He’s chosen to leave. I’ve no reason to suspect he’ll be writing a blog.”
Mr Eustice told Sky News: “I’ ve known Dominic Cummings myself for many years. He’s got many great strengths and one of them is winning campaigns. And he tends to apply himself in short bursts, short tours of duty… And he’s very talented at that. But it’s always the Prime Minister’s prerogative who will be their key advisers.”