Cummings claims about Nicola Sturgeon's indyref2 intentions slammed

The former top aide to Prime Minister Boris Johnson held an "Ask Me Anything" event on his paid blog in response to alleged festive parties held in Downing Street last year while London was under tough Covid restrictions.

Asked on his AMA how the UK Government should deal with calls for indyref2 from pro-independence parties and supporters, Cummings said officials should “ignore it”.

He added: “She [Sturgeon] doesn’t even want it now she just wants to be boss up there and whinge.

“Her network have made quietly clear to Whitehall they are happy without a referendum pre-2024.

“She only wants it when confident she’ll win.”

The SNP have said that they want to hold an independence referendum by the end of 2023, coronavirus pandemic permitting.

Cummings's claims have been rubbished and the former chief adviser to the Prime Minister described as "clueless" about Sturgeon's intentions.

A source close to Sturgeon said: "This is utter nonsense. Dominic Cummings knows precisely zero about the First Minister’s intentions – his clueless bid to suggest otherwise suggests his grasp of the facts is as suspect as his eyesight."

The latest Scottish Budget included a nod to planning for indyref2 as the Scottish Government looks to put plans in place for a second vote in 2023.

The constitution brief is headed by Angus Robertson MSP and has been allocated £349.5 million overall for the parliamentary term 2021-22.

On the cover page for the portfolio which sets out the department’s responsibilities, the budget states that part of its brief is to ensure Scotland remains a “valued and well-connected nation”.

The document continues: “We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to EU values, our alignment with EU policy priorities, and make the necessary preparations for a Scottish referendum and subsequently for re-joining the EU as an independent member state.”

The exact amount of funding, if any, allocated to these preparations was not explicitly stated in the budget.

READ MORE: Scottish Budget includes pledge for 'necessary' indyref2 planning

Also during the AMA, Cummings dismissed the idea that Johnson would not have known about parties happening in Downing Street.

Government chief whip Mark Spencer insisted Downing Street staff “were not drinking alcohol” and partying during Covid restrictions after it emerged the Prime Minister’s press chief addressed staff at one event last Christmas.

No 10 said Johnson retained full confidence in Jack Doyle (below) to serve as communications director despite ITV reporting he addressed up to 50 people and made a speech at one party on December 18.

Doyle is under scrutiny over his attendance at the event, during which it is understood he presented awards to the press team.

Asked if Doyle had offered his resignation, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters on Friday: “Not that I’m aware of.”

READ MORE: Alex Salmond casts doubt over 2023 timetable for indyref2

But, in what appeared to be a later development, the BBC reported that Johnson had since turned down former journalist Doyle’s offer of resignation.

Michael Gove, asked by broadcasters how Doyle could remain in post, said he did not want to “pre-empt or cut across the Cabinet Secretary’s investigation”, adding that it was “vital we get a rapid and full account of events”.

Cummings, who left Downing Street in November last year amid a bitter row in No 10, said on Twitter Doyle was a “gonner” (sic) but predicted Johnson would keep him on staff until after Cabinet Secretary Simon Case’s (below) inquiry into the alleged parties and then use him “as the sacrifice”.

“Also there’s lots of pictures of the parties which will inevitably get out. And invite lists beyond No10, to other departments…” he added.

Cummings suggested that Johnson knew about the parties "but I think did not attend".

He added: “Tho remember the geography – to get upstairs he has to walk past that area where he could see it – if he was not [at] Chequers …”

He added: “There were invites sent across Whitehall, it was an organised party.

“The trolley [referring to Johnson] know this and tried to lie his way out but was fkd (sic) by the video.”

READ MORE: Met Police face legal action over refusal to probe No 10 Christmas parties

Pressure on Johnson comes as he faces questions over whether he misled his ministerial standards adviser during an investigation into the funding of lavish refurbishments to his flat in No 11 and as Tory MPs voice their anger over fresh coronavirus restrictions.

Polling suggested Johnson’s popularity has dropped to an all-time low amid the turmoil.

A YouGov poll conducted over Wednesday and Thursday said the Prime Minister’s net favourability rating has fallen 11 points in a month to -42%.

A separate poll for the Times suggested the Tories had dropped to their worst rating in nearly a year, with Labour given a four-point lead in research that will alarm Conservative backbenchers further.