Boris Johnson’s top aide Dominic Cummings has been accused of parking his tanks on the Civil Service’s lawn ever since entering No10.
But the PM’s shadowy backroom fixer has now gone one step further and invaded their living room as his power grab to reshape British politics goes on.
Mr Cummings and another of Mr Johnson’s top advisers Munira Mirza, are to leave No10 to set up a new ‘control centre’ for the PM in 70 Whitehall, the current home of the Cabinet Office.
It is a move that can be measured in the tens of metres, but one that may be seen as a larger one in terms of intent.
To all intents ant purposes it will create an ‘office of the prime minister’ in the middle of mandarin territory, the Times reported.
Mr Cummings has made no secret of his desire to shake up the Civil Service. Last month he won an internal power fight with Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary, stepped down.
Mr Cummings is to leave No10 to set up a new ‘control centre’ for the PM in 70 Whitehall, the current home of the Cabinet Office
It is a move that can be measured in the tens of metres, but one that may be seen as a larger one in terms of intent
Mr Cummings will be joined by Munira Mirza, the head Mr Johnson’s policy unit, in the new control room
Meanwhile Mr Cummings has also come under fire for his role in a review of Britain’s defence capabilities.
MPs warned that Mr Johnson’s pledge to overhaul defence and foreign policy is in danger of being undermined by the failure of Government to engage with outside voices.
The Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development was billed in last year’s Queen’s Speech as the deepest and most radical re-evaluation of the UK’s place in the world since the Cold War ended.
However, the Commons Defence Committee warned that there must be much greater transparency if its far-reaching ambitions are to be achieved.
With Mr Cummings reportedly playing a major role, the committee urged the Government to publicly identify the key players – including who will chair the review in Mr Johnson’s absence.
It said the review needs to include a thorough assessment of the economic, diplomatic and military activities and the internal political dynamics of hostile foreign states, such as Russia and China.
It also requires a coherent vision of how Britain’s armed forces will fight and operate in the future, setting out the platforms, weapons and personnel that would be provided to ensure that vision was realised.
Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood said it is essential that decisions are based on ‘a clear view of the world and a detailed vision for the UK’s role within it’ rather than ‘short-term economic considerations’.
‘Number 10 has described the Integrated Review as the most comprehensive policy review since the end of the Cold War; however, we are concerned that the gap between this expectation and reality is widening,’ he said.
‘To ensure the review takes a strategic approach, there must be broader engagement and consultation of external stakeholders, and yet so far the committee has seen little evidence that this has taken place.
‘The Defence Committee, alongside colleagues in the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees, have repeatedly called for clarity and transparency from the Government. These calls have, at times, been left unanswered.
‘A number of unknowns remain, including the key players at the heart of the review. A policy review of this importance should not take place behind closed doors.’
A Government spokeswoman said: ‘As part of the Integrated Review, the Government will on Thursday publish a Call for Evidence, enabling us to hear from the public and our stakeholders to inform the long-term strategic aims of our international policy and national security, rooted in our national interests
‘The Integrated Review will cover all aspects of international and national security policy, such as defence, diplomacy, development and national resilience. It will also take account of the implications of COVID-19, setting a strong direction for recovery at home and overseas.’