Boris Johnson is hemorrhaging allies, with policy adviser Elena Narozanski the latest to leave her role, after four senior staff members quit yesterday.
A glance at a flowchart published in the 11 October 2020 edition of the Sunday Times shows just how depleted the Prime Minister’s “power hub” now is.
Most of his network have since left their roles or have turned on Johnson. Here’s The Hound’s rundown:
Munira Mirza
A confidant of Johnson for more than 14 years, Mirza unexpectedly resigned on Thursday as head of Number 10’s policy unit over Johnson’s “inappropriate and partisan” accusation that Sir Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile when Director of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Dougie Smith
Mirza’s husband and a long-time Tory activist. Smith, Johnson’s strategist and opposition researcher, is rumoured to quit, although Downing Street insists he is staying put.
Michael Gove
No longer working with Johnson as Cabinet Office minister. Focusing on the government’s levelling-up strategy and willing to defend his boss on the airwaves.
Lee Cain
Stepped down as director of communications in November 2020 after clashing with Carrie Johnson who reportedly tried to block him from becoming chief of staff.
Dominic Cummings
Sacked as Johnson’s chief adviser around the same time Cain left, but has since taken revenge with several explosive briefings and Substack newsletters against Johnson – or the “trolley”, as he brands him.
Mary Wakefield and James Forsyth
Colleagues at The Spectator. The normally pro-Conservative magazine has been far more critical of Johnson of late, particularly over allegations of illicit parties held during the pandemic.
Allegra Stratton
Married to Forsyth, the Spectator’s political editor. Given the boot as press secretary in December 2021 after a video emerged of her joking about a party held in Downing Street during lockdown.
Rishi Sunak
Cut himself adrift from Johnson during the Partygate saga, although the two men penned a joint piece in the Sunday Times defending the National Insurance tax rise. Sunak admitted yesterday that he “wouldn’t have said” Johnson’s Savile jibe to Sir Keir Starmer.
Carrie Symonds
Made several enemies since residing in Downing Street, but remains fiercely loyal to her husband.
Sir Edward Lister
Departed as special envoy for the Gulf and chief strategic adviser in April 2021 due to increasing scrutiny of his six-figure employment with Finsbury Glover Hering, a public relations and lobbying firm.
