- Cummings and Sunak meetings
- Lib Dems call for inquiry
- Denials and political implications
Although he “declined” an offer to return to Number 10, the controversial former aide to Boris Johnson stated that he and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met twice. The Liberal Democrats characterise the action as “obviously violating the ministerial code.”
An investigation has been initiated by the Liberal Democrats. They aim to determine whether Rishi Sunak violated the ministerial code by conducting clandestine meetings with Dominic Cummings.
According to a report by The Times on Sunday, the prime minister engaged in two rounds of discussions with the former chief adviser to Boris Johnson in an effort to reconsider the controversial individual’s employment at Downing Street.
Subsequently, in a blog post, Mr. Cummings validated the December 2022 and July 2023 meetings. Asserting that he had declined an offer to “operate in secret” for Mr. Sunak.
Although a Number 10 insider acknowledged the discussions, they said “no job offer was made.”
Labour criticised the prime minister’s “covert entreaties to Mr. Barnard Castle to run Downing Street once more,” stating that it demonstrated he was “at a loss for ideas and incapable of generating his own.”
In addition, the Liberal Democrats assert that Mr. Sunak failed to document the meetings with Mr. Cummings on his transparency returns, despite the ministerial code mandating the recording of all meetings in which official business is deliberated.
Demands for Investigation: Alleged Breach of Ministerial Code
Wendy Chamberlain, the party’s chief whip, demanded an official investigation, describing the incident as “a blatant violation of the ministerial code” and further stating, “These shady attempts to rehire Cummings clandestinely must be thoroughly examined.”
We must determine why these meetings were not advertised and whether any officials were there or alerted.
In light of reports that significant policy changes affecting millions of people’s lives, including taxes and the NHS, were deliberated, the public deserves complete transparency, not another attempt to conceal the truth.
However, a government spokesperson refuted any culpability, stating, “Conferences with private individuals to deliberate on political affairs are not required to be declared in strict adherence to the ministerial code.”
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general for Labour, further advocated for an investigation into the meetings. He described their secrecy as “curious” in light of the prime minister’s “promise to restore integrity.”
“He is not being candid with the British people,” he continued. In fact, he stated from a podium that Dominic Cummings would not be involved in his administration. He is currently grovelling before Mr. Cummings, pleading with him to return to Downing Street.
“If not a liar, he has deceived the British people.” Naturally, it is imperative that these matters be thoroughly examined. Nonetheless, this is ultimately Rishi Sunak’s style.
Cummings’ Account of Political Dealings
It may be fixing the NHS, relieving the cost of living crisis (from the tax hike), or stopping the boats. He is unable to fulfil his commitments to the British people.
According to Mr. Cummings’ Sunday blog entry, he met Mr. Sunak immediately after he took over Number 10. This happened at the conclusion of 2022.
Mr. Cummings wrote that the Prime Minister desired a practical plan that incorporated a political strategy, a political mechanism. And a manner to seize power and get things done in order to alter the political landscape and defeat Labour.
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Assuming he received a job offer, the former adviser implied that he “might do it” but that his acceptance was subject to “conditions” such as modifications to the infrastructure of nuclear weapons, pandemic planning, and the approach to artificial intelligence.
However, according to him, Mr. Sunak “rejected the deal I put forth” and demanded that Mr. Cummings “operate clandestinely on communication and politics in exchange for assurances that I could reposition my priorities at No. 10 following the election.” The adviser “refused” this offer.
He was “asked to see him again” in July 2023, according to Mr. Cummings, but the conversation was “essentially a repeat” of the one from the previous year.
He wrote, “I stated I could attempt to turn things around, but my fundamental conditions remained the same.” “In order to secure the election, I declined to serve as a covert political advisor in the absence of guarantees regarding the candidate’s ability to ensure immediate action and profound state priorities.”
“No deal was possible.”
When questioned regarding the meetings, a source from Number 10 stated, “It was a general discussion of politics and campaigning. No employment offers were made.”
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