WHO’S WHO THE LEAKY QUAD

MICHAEL GOVE

Loved and loathed by Tories in equal measure, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is the most experienced Cabinet minister and wields a huge amount of power as Mr Johnson’s “details” man. His closeness to Dominic Cummings has long courted suspicion. Described as “constantly being on manoeuvres”, many suspect him of being the leaker, although allies insist he is “far too clever to do anything so stupid”.

RISHI SUNAK

As the quad’s most hawkish member, the Chancellor finds himself in a minority on the dove-dominated committee. He is in the unenviable position of being both the most senior Cabinet minister and the least experienced, having become a junior minister in 2018. As the architect of furlough, Mr Sunak’s star has been rising, making him a target for those threatened by his rapid ascendancy.

BORIS JOHNSON

As PM and chairman of the quad, Boris Johnson acts as the arbiter of the discussions. Yet his tendency to “dither” over decisions has left many frustrated. While his allies praise his sense of compromise, critics accuse him of “fudging” issues, such as the 10pm curfew, introduced to keep both the “hawks” and the “doves” dovess happy. Insiderrs Insiders insist he is intennt intent on findingg finding the leak culpritt culprit after “goingg “going ballistic” on Friddday Friday night.

MATT T HANCOCK HANC COCK C

The Tigger Tigger- like Health h Secreta Secretary’s ary’s a mantra a during g the pandem pandemic mic m has been to o save lives. He is “horrified”h “horrified” by sugg suggestions gestions he coul could ld be the leaker, , pointin pointing ng n out that as the second most ex experienced xperienced x minist minister er e in Cabine Cabinet, et, e he knows s better than to o betray confide confidences. ences. e He has alr already re eady been on the receiving end of negative briefin briefings ngs by Tory MPS.M MPS.

DOMINIC CUMMINGS

Insiders suggest the supposedly secretive quad committee was part of a quest by Dominic Cummings (below) to maintain a vice-like grip on decision-making. The committee appears to have got smaller under his watch, partly as a result of his mistrust of leaky ministers. That hasn’t stopped some Tories directing th the finger of suspicion at the man who ha has made no sec secret of his contemp contempt for them, point pointing to his many me media contacts, wh which rival those o of many politic politicians. People who question the PM’S loyalty to M Mr Cummings underestim underestimate the value of an “enforcer” w who has never be been afraid to tak take difficult decisions – o or make enemies.