OUSTED FOR NOT SHARING DOM’S VISION
No10 slammed over brutal ousting of top civil servant Cummings wanted out
BORIS Johnson was branded cowardly last night after the UK’s top civil servant became the first victim of a Whitehall purge planned by Dominic Cummings.
Sir Mark Sedwill was forced to step down after the PM announced he was ending the leading mandarin’s dual role of Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser.
His departure is a win for chief PM aide Mr Cummings who, despite his own eyesight issues in the pandemic, is said to believe that Whitehall’s “fundamental” lack of vision has been exposed by the coronavirus crisis.
And civil servants have been in his sights for months. Sir Mark’s joint roles, handed to him by Theresa May, were the pinnacle of a career spanning more than 30 years.
Sir Mark said in a letter to the PM: “I wish you well and remain, of course at your disposal in the years ahead. It has been a privilege to serve.” Replying, Mr Johnson praised Sir Mark’s “calm and shrewd advice”.
But the FDA body representing civil servants, said the Government would be damaged by the departure.
General secretary Dave Penman said: “Whatever emerges as fact from the series of briefings that sought to undermine Sir Mark’s position, this Government will emerge weaker as a result. “Not only is this a selfdefeating and corrosive tactic, it is also cowardly.” Mr Johnson, who is also bringing in reforms to give him a firmer grip over his Cabinet, last night handed the National Security role to his top Brexit negotiator, David Frost. Sir Mark’s replacement as Cabinet Service Secretary is yet and to be head decided. of the Civil