PM’S press secretary hits out at advisers treating people ‘discourteously and unpleasantly’

THE new face of Downing Street has criticised a group of Boris Johnson’s former advisers for treating people “discourteously and unpleasantly”, f ol l owing t he exit of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain from No10.

Allegra Stratton, a former journalist who has been selected by the Prime Minister to front Downing Street’s televised news briefings, is a key member of the anti-cummings faction of Mr Johnson’s administration.

Alongside Carrie Symonds, Mr Johnson’s fiancée, Ms Stratton objected to a culture of negative briefing by Downing Street officials.

Ms Stratton was left in tears on Saturday after briefings from sources loyal to Mr Cummings and Mr Cain suggested she had orchestrated a coup against them. She told The Observer: “I am upset because I was only ever trying to do the right thing by the country. And the country does not want to be run by people i n No 10 who treat people discourteously and unpleasantly.”

Another source in the Cummings camp revealed Ms Symonds was privately nicknamed “Princess Nut Nut” by some officials.

Open warfare between rival factions began after it was reported that Mr Johnson intended to appoint Mr Cain as his chief of staff, a powerful position at the Prime Minister’s side.

Ms Stratton, Ms Symonds and other advisers objected to Mr Cain’s appointment, while Mr Cummings supported it, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Mr Cain is a member of the so-called “Vote Leave” faction of Downing Street officials, who know Mr Johnson and each other f rom the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign, which Mr Cummings led.

The dispute between rival groups ultimately led to Mr Cain and Mr Cummings’ resignation, although it is understood both may continue to work for the Government from home until the end of the year. Ms Stratton’s comments yesterday were the first she has made publicly on the subject. Friends of the adviser – who previously worked on the image of Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor – said she believed there was a “laddish” culture in Downing Street.

Mr Cain denies briefing journalists against her.

Mr Johnson’s choice of a new chief of staff will affect the balance of power in Downing Street after the apparent victory of the Symonds-stratton faction over the “Vote Leave” group.