Voice of London

Dominic Cummings has left his job as senior advisor to the prime minister. 

Downing Street sources made the claim on Thursday night that Cummings was to quit. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed Mr Cummings’ departure the following morning.

Original reports claimed that the chief advisor had planned to leave before the end of the year, coinciding with the Brexit transition period coming to an end on December 31st.

But as of Friday evening, Cummings has already stood down from his post.

He told the  BBC “rumours of me threatening to resign are invented”, after speculation arose throughout the week. But also stated that “my position hasn’t changed since my January blog”.

In a blog post in January the controversial aide suggested that his role would be “largely redundant” by the end of the year.

“He’ll be missed… but advisers come and go,” the Transport Secretary said, “In any government, you require people who are going to shake things up and come up with ideas, and he’s actually been that person.”

Torie Backbenchers have expressed their criticism over the in-house drama going on behind the scenes.

Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale said Mr Cummings had “become a distraction” and a “malign influence at the centre of Downing Street for too long”, going on to suggest “It’s right that he should go.”

When interviewed by Sky News another Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said: “Let’s move a little bit away from EastEnders and more to the West Wing.”

Many other political and media figures have tweeted their opinions on Mr Cummings exit from Downing Street:

David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham tweeted:

While Piers Morgan shared his views on what Cummings legacy may leave behind:

ITV’s Paul Brand questioned the loyalty the PM has shown to Cummings and whether it has been worth it:

Darren Grimes tweeted his worry for the future of the government without Cummings:

And Professor Paul Bernal joked:

Words by: Jack Sanders | Subbing: Grace Staley