Boris Johnson has expressed regret over not dismissing his former chief of staff, Dominic Cummings, whom he likened to a “homicidal robot,” following the Barnard Castle debacle. Johnson detailed his breakdown in the relationship with Cummings in his new autobiography, “Unleashed,” tracing back to their collaboration during the EU referendum campaign in 2016.
The rift between Johnson and Cummings escalated due to the latter’s perceived lack of gratitude over Johnson defending him amidst allegations of breaching lockdown rules with the notorious trip to Barnard Castle in 2020. Johnson accused Cummings of using the Partygate scandal as a form of retaliation, claiming that Cummings had been plotting to undermine him as prime minister since early 2020.
In his autobiography, Johnson described Cummings’ actions as reminiscent of the Shakespearean character Iago, suggesting a sinister motive behind his behaviour. The former prime minister recounted a heated confrontation with Cummings, where he resisted calls to sack him, believing the criticisms to be politically motivated.
The tensions reached a tipping point over a briefing against adviser Kate Bingham, which Johnson deemed “insane,” leading to his decision to dismiss both Cummings and his director of communications, Lee Cain, in November 2020. Johnson reflected that their departure brought relief and a positive shift in the government’s functioning.
The Barnard Castle incident, where Cummings left self-isolation to take a controversial trip during the lockdown, highlighted the strain in Johnson and Cummings’ relationship. Johnson remarked on the surreal nature of the events and the challenges he faced in dealing with the fallout from Cummings’ actions.
Johnson’s account sheds light on the turbulent dynamics within his administration, with the Cummings saga playing a significant role in shaping the course of his tenure as prime minister. The revelations in his autobiography provide a glimpse into the complexities and challenges faced by political leaders in managing internal conflicts and external pressures.