THE YES MAN FOR THE JOB
PM appoints Brexit chief as top security adviser
BORIS Johnson was accused of appointing a “yes man” to the UK’s top security job yesterday.
The Prime Minister installed his Brexit chief David Frost as national security adviser after ousting Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill, who had also filled the NSA role.
Mr Johnson offered no reason as to why he wanted Sir Mark out.
Praising him yesterday, the PM said: “He’s seen the Government through very tough stuff – changes in the premiership, an election, Brexit, dealing with the worst bits of the Covid crisis. He’s got a lot more to offer and I’m sure he will.”
It was claimed the UK’s top civil servant was seen as a block to Whitehall reform championed by No10 adviser Dominic Cummings.
Mr Frost landed the plum NSA role despite having no military or security background.
Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Gus O’Donnell said: “I’m not quite sure how putting a special adviser in that role works – how that’s consistent with [Cabinet Office Minister] Michael Gove’s desire for deep subject knowledge – for someone who hasn’t really had much of a background in national security.”
Asked if the service’s impartiality is being eroded, he said: “I think appointing a special adviser to a national security role is quite clearly an example of that. “Political appointees are more likely to be yes-men, to say what it is ministers want to hear, as opposed to speaking truth to power, which is what it’s all about.” Labour leader Keir Starmer blasted the PM for focusing on reshuffles amid the coronavirus crisis. He said: “It seems to me obvious the PM wanted to move the Cabinet Secretary and was determined to do so. Why you do so in the middle of a pandemic instead of focusing on the crisis is a question the Prime Minister needs to answer.”
The PM dismissed claims he would insist on a Brexiteer replacing Sir Mark as head of the civil service. He said: “Who knows what his or her views will be?”
His spokesman said the NSA appointment “is always a decision for the PM”.
Mr Frost’s role as chief EU negotiator will vanish once he takes over as NSA, due at the end of August.