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Eugene

(62,650 posts)
Fri Sep 13, 2019, 07:50 PM Sep 2019

Cameron suspected Cummings of 'dripping poison' into Gove's ear

Source: The Guardian

Cameron suspected Cummings of 'dripping poison' into Gove's ear

In an extract from his memoir, serialised in the Times, former PM makes claim about Boris Johnson’s senior aide

Kevin Rawlinson
Sat 14 Sep 2019 00.31 BST
Last modified on Sat 14 Sep 2019 00.44 BST

Dominic Cummings has developed a somewhat unsavoury reputation since taking over as Boris Johnson’s senior aide. But his nefarious influence over the machinations of No 10 stretches back much further, David Cameron claims in his forthcoming memoir.

Extracts printed in Saturday’s Times reveal that, in 2013, Cameron suspected a “bilious” Cummings of “dripping his poison” into the ear of Michael Gove, even though he was no longer serving as a special adviser to the then education secretary.

The resulting episode led Cameron to warn Gove about the perils of becoming “a wanker”, the former prime minister writes.

In the extracts, he explains that he had convinced Gove to take a job as chief whip, fearing that his poor reputation among teachers was putting the government’s programme of education reforms at risk. Gove had expressed an interest in the role, had indicated a willingness to take it, having been sounded out, and had even started his work.

But a bump appeared in the road. “Michael emailed to say he had changed his mind. What had happened? I smelt Dominic Cummings, and totally flipped.” Cameron said that he rang Gove, telling him that he had agreed to the job, must withdraw his email and that he wanted him to take on the role as part of a reshuffle.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/14/cameron-suspected-cummings-of-dripping-poison-into-goves-ear

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Source: BBC

David Cameron: Johnson and Gove behaved 'appallingly'

13 September 2019

David Cameron has accused the current prime minister, Boris Johnson, and Michael Gove of behaving "appallingly" during the EU referendum campaign.

Speaking to the Times ahead of the launch of his memoir, the former Tory PM attacked some colleagues who backed Leave for "trashing the government".

Mr Cameron said the result in 2016 had left him "hugely depressed" and he knew "some people will never forgive me".

He also said another referendum cannot be ruled out "because we're stuck".

Mr Cameron criticised Mr Johnson's strategy for dealing with Brexit, including his decision to suspend Parliament ahead of the 31 October deadline and removing the whip from 21 Tory MPs who voted to block a no-deal Brexit.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49690618
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