Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former advisor is set to testify in front of the Covid Inquiry committee on the former PM's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Once Johnson’s closest ally and aide, Cummings is now a mortal enemy who can disclose explosive evidence of indecision and mishandling surrounding the pandemic.
Discover our latest podcast
What is the COVID Inquiry?
According to the BBC, UK public inquiries respond to 'public concern' about events. While established and funded by the government they are led by an independent chairperson who has the power to demand the release of specific evidence and compel witnesses to attend. In the case of the Covid inquiry, this person is former judge and crossbench peer Baroness Hallett. Her mission is to investigate the public health response to the pandemic, the health and care response, the economic response, and government interventions. The inquiry is made up of hearings covering different modules that cover specific aspects of the issues notably:
- Resilience and preparedness
- Core UK decision-making and political governance
- The impact of the pandemic on the healthcare system
- Vaccines and therapeutics.
Cummings’ testimony is part of the second module of the inquiry. Politicians are expected to be interviewed later in the year however their advisors are up for testimony first.
Who is Dominic Cummings?
Dominic Cummings became one of the most powerful people on 10 Downing Street when appointed by newly elected PM Boris Johnson as senior adviser back in the summer of 2019. Johnson’s election win finally offered him enough political capital to make bold decisions and who better than a ‘radical reformer’ to have by your side?
According to Sky News, Dominic Cummings began cultivating his reputation in the early 2000s when he was the director of strategy for the conservative party. After he left, his next position came as Micheal Grove’s Special Adviser. Unfortunately, he had an opportunity to work within Mr. Grove’s Department of Education but was shut down by Andy Coulson, the director of communications at the time. Serendipitously, Coulson later resigned following allegations of phone hacking while he was editor of News of the World. This proved to be a valuable opportunity for Cummings, who soon after became Gove’s chief of staff.
Cummings ended up leaving the position after what was rumored to be an era of ‘intimidating culture’ in 2013. He later joined the ‘Vote to Leave’ campaign in 2016 and became one of the most influential figures in the ‘Take Back Control' slogan.
Dominic Cummings later refused to attend the Fake News inquiry to answer allegations about unlawful coordination of EU referendum campaigns and was found in contempt of parliament for doing so.
His 2019 appointment by Boris Johnson saw him quickly go to work reshaping Whitehall by recruiting data scientists, economists, and other nontraditionally skilled figures to change civil service.
What happened to his relationship with Boris Johnson?
It was the Covid pandemic that led to the souring of the relationship between the two men. Cummings became the catalyst for the damage to Johnson’s relationship with his party, the media, and the public alike. Cummings traveled 260 miles to his parent’s home despite his wife showing COVID symptoms which caused immense criticism as he broke restrictions he helped create giving birth to a national scandal. The PM stood by his side despite continuous protests by constituents.
Cummings was then ordered to leave Downing Street with immediate effect, according to the Guardian a Whitehall source said:
Cummings was not planning to go in this abrupt manner, but he was planning to go [at some point]. He had made that clear to several people in No 10 over several months
Another former official also mentioned:
I think it was always predictable that there would be a big bust-up and Dom would leave. He’s done that in most jobs he’s been in.
What is Dominic Cummings doing now?
When asked about Dominic Cummings' current career on Breakfast with Eamonn & Isabel, GB News Deputy Political Editor Tom Harwood shared that the former PM aide now has a substack blog where people subscribe to read his views on things in addition to doing advisory work. Tom alluded to conversations with important people but didn't divulge any concrete information.
This advisory work may have something to do with Cummings’ company Siwah Ltd which he created back in February of 2021 just three months after leaving Downing Street. It is listed as simply an information technology company and, according to its first account filed, has earned £132,666 in its first year of operations.
Read more:
⋙ Boris Johnson set for an explosive few days as former team to reveal all before Covid inquiry
⋙ Boris Johnson joins GB news and people are not happy: ‘Should be taken off air ASAP’
⋙ ‘Staggering irony’: Boris Johnson’s new job has triggered some intense reactions
Sources:
Institute of Government: The Covid-19 Inquiry
BBC: Covid inquiry: What is it investigating and how does it work?
Sky News: Who is Dominic Cummings: A former PM branded him a 'career psychopath' - here's what you need to know about Boris Johnson's top aide
The Guardian: Boris Johnson boots out top adviser Dominic Cummings
Daily Mail: Boris Johnson’s controversial former right-hand man Dominic Cummings earns more than £132k from his new IT consultancy business after quitting No10
GB News: Breakfast with Eamonn & Isabel
