Cummings declares Boris 'f***ed' and says he WILL give evidence to Sue Gray over partygate
DOMINIC CUMMINGS has claimed Boris Johnson's strategy is "f***ed" and suggested "regime change" looms in Downing Street.
Boris Johnson grilled on 'ridiculous' defence of May party
He wrote: “When your #OODA is f***ed...
“1. You send out defenders on TV and it's like they're working for your opponent…
“2. You try to defend yourself in panic and blow up credibility of your own 'inquiry' giving lobby justification to dismiss as 'whitewash’…
After this, he added the hashtag “Regime Change”.
“OODA” refers to a cycle developed by US military strategist John Boyd around decision-making, running as follows: observe-orient-decide-act.
Earlier today, on Tuesday, Mr Johnson “categorically” denied the accusation that he was warned the “bring your own booze” Downing Street party on May 20, 2020 – that is, during the first national lockdown – would break the rules.
This directly contradicts claims made by Mr Cummings – and, indeed, by ITV’s Robert Peston – over the past tumultuous few days.
In a blog post published on Monday, the Prime Minister’s former chief aide said a “very senior official” responded to an invite to a “bring your own booze” party from Martin Reynolds – Mr Johnson’s Principal Private Secretary – in May 2020 insisting that the do should be cancelled.
The PPS said he would talk to Mr Johnson about the risk of rules being broken, according to Mr Cummings.
Mr Cummings added that he also talked to the Prime Minister himself about the invite, urging him to “grip this madhouse”.
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Mr Peston has added weight to this tale of events, writing in ITV this week that the Prime Minister’s PPS was told – “in the nicest possible way” – a party in the Downing Street garden would break the rules.
Speaking of the source, who wishes to remain anonymous, he confirmed his testimony was compelling, noting: “If it turns out he is lying he knows it will come out and he would be seriously damaged.”
Mr Johnson has faced numerous calls to resign since he admitted to attending what he claims to have believed was a “work event” during the first lockdown.
Perhaps the most significant of these has come from Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross who said the Prime Minister’s position had become “untenable”.
Others have been more reluctant to comment on the ‘Partygate’ scandal before hearing the verdict of Sue Gray’s investigation into lockdown rule-breaking at Number 10 and other Government departments.
Mr Cummings confirmed this evening that he will be giving evidence to Ms Gray as part of her investigation.
He, along with Mr Peston, insisted that the email sent by a “very senior official” warning against the party on May 2020 will also be seen by the senior civil servant.