UNITED KINGDOM
Calls are mounting for an investigation into how UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s closest aide, Dominic Cummings was able to sack an adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid without Mr Javid’s knowledge.
It is alleged that Mr Cummings ordered an armed police officer to escort the adviser out of Mr Javid’s Downing Street office in front of staff.
Former Police Chief Superintendent, Dal Babu said the episode should be subject to urgent twin investigations by Cabinet Secretary, Mark Sedwill and Scotland Yard.
The demands for inquiries into the sacking of the 27-year-old Treasury Special Adviser, Sonia Khan (pictured) came amid heightened tension at Westminster over Mr Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament.
Mr Cummings is understood to have concluded that Ms Khan had been dishonest about her recent contacts with her ex-boss, former Chancellor, Philip Hammond, who opposes leaving the European Union (Brexit) without a deal in place — an accusation Ms Khan strongly denies.
Having summoned her to Downing Street to question her, Mr Cummings took her two phones — one used for private calls and one for work — and fired her after seeing she had talked to an ex-aide to Mr Hammond.
Mr Cummings then went outside and asked an armed officer to enter the building and escort Ms Khan off the premises.
Friends of Ms Khan said she was deeply upset by the episode and was considering what action to take next.
They accused Mr Cummings of establishing a “reign of terror” at the heart of Government.
Mr Hammond is heavily involved in attempts by a cross-party group of MPs to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
Mr Javid is reported to have confronted Mr Johnson in a heated meeting and demanded an explanation of how Mr Cummings had dismissed one of his staff without telling him beforehand.
Former Attorney-General, Dominic Grieve said if the accounts of the sacking — which have not been denied by Downing Street — were true, it was an outrageous abuse of power by Mr Cummings and inappropriate of the police to have become involved.
Mr Grieve said the Prime Minister needed to explain why “ordinary principles of fair behaviour have broken down in his office, and hold an inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary”.
London, 31 August 2019
