Boris Johnson key aide Lee Cain announces he is QUTTING Downing Street after claims PM’s fiancee Carrie Symonds was trying to block him from becoming new Number 10 chief of staff
Boris Johnson’s top aide Lee Cain has announced he is quitting amid rumours Carrie Symonds was trying to block his promotion to Number 10’s chief of staff.
Mr Cain, a Vote Leave campaign veteran who has served Mr Johnson since his stint at the Foreign Office, will be replaced as director of communications by James Slack, the prime minister’s official spokesperson.
In a statement confirming his resignation, Mr Cain confirmed he had been asked to serve as chief of staff before quitting.
Lee Cain (pictured with Boris Johnson), Downing Street’s director of communications, who is resigning
Carrie Symonds – a former media chief at CCHQ who has previously had a fractious relationship with Mr Cain
He said: ‘After careful consideration I have this evening resigned as No 10 director of communications and will leave the post at the end of the year.
‘It has been a privilege to work as an adviser for Mr Johnson for the last three years – being part of a team that helped him win the Tory leadership contest, secure the largest Conservative majority for three decades – and it was an honour to be asked to serve as the Prime Minister’s chief of staff.
‘I would like to thank all the team at No 10 – including the many unsung and incredibly talented civil servants – for their hard work and support during the last 18 months.
‘And most of all I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his loyalty and leadership.
‘I have no doubt that under his premiership the country will deliver on the promises made in the 2019 election campaign and build back better from the coronavirus pandemic.’
Cain is a former journalist who used to dress up as the Daily Mirror’s election chicken, pursuing David Cameron and other leading Tories during the 2010 campaign