A FORMER Scottish journalist and ministerial aide who confronted Boris Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings over his “unkindness” two weeks ago has been removed from her job.
Lynn Davidson will leave her post as an adviser to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, it emerged today.
Davidson, an ex-Daily Record reporter, made headlines last month when she confronted Cummings over his treatment of colleagues at a meeting of government special advisers on February 14.
She is said to have told the Prime Minister’s most senior adviser he had been out of order and should show more respect to other aides, according to a report in The Times.
Davidson won plaudits from current and former colleagues over the incident, which came after a series of high-profile disagreements between Cummings and government special advisers.
WATCH: Tory confirms Dominic Cummings is in charge in humiliating interview
Cummings had provoked outcry when he told advisers at their previous weekly Friday night meeting that he would “see half of you next week”. Several aides then lost their jobs in the ensuing Cabinet reshuffle.
Two weeks after Davidson’s intervention, she has now joined the ranks of those leaving government.
A government source told Buzz Feed News that Number 10 had attempted to move her to the department of health prior to her comments to Cummings, as part of a wider shake-up of media aides.
Wallace later made representations to Downing Street requesting to keep Davidson in her job at the Ministry of Defence. Number 10 made clear that was not an option and that she could move to health or the Department for Education. Davidson's employment was then terminated.
READ MORE: Scotland adviser sacked by Dominic Cummings to 'refresh' Union unit
The reshuffle of media advisers was conducted by Johnson’s director of communications, Lee Cain, and not Cummings, the government source said.
Davidson’s departure is the latest development in the ongoing saga of Downing Street’s relationship with government aides.
Johnson’s de facto chief of staff was previously criticised for suggesting that advisers who suffered from personal problems should leave the Government.
He was also accused of “picking on” certain advisers and bombarding them with questions they couldn’t answer.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel