Tory MPs and ex-aides raise fears over Carrie Symonds power play

Fears were raised today that Carrie Symonds has made herself a ‘target’ for political enemies after the extraordinary power struggle in No10.

The PM’s fiancee has been at the centre of an extraordinary briefing war that saw Dominic Cummings and his Vote Leave faction effectively ousted from Downing Street.

There are claims she is driving Mr Johnson’s bid to ‘reset’ his government, drafting in her own allies and pushing for tougher environment measures.  

But while allies say as an experienced political operator Ms Symonds is entitled to make her views felt, MPs are privately concerned that she has become too involved, suggesting she should follow the example of Theresa May’s husband Philip and keep a lower profile. ‘Once you step up to the mark you become a target, which isn’t going to help anyone,’ one MP told MailOnline. 

A former Tory adviser – who is no fan of Mr Cummings – described the events of the past week as ‘unreal’, saying Ms Symonds had been an ‘absolute nightmare’ to work with in the past. 

‘This is definitely all going to end in tears,’ they said. 

There are rumours that Ms Symonds is pushing for Lord True, a government minister and former speechwriter to John Major, to become chief of staff. Lord True has close links to the ‘Richmond set’ group of Ms Symonds’ allies. 

Meanwhile, other Tory MPs have warned that Mr Johnson’s own future might depend on the success of his ‘reset’, amid anger at bungling and U-turns on issues like free school meals.

‘I think people are now looking to see if there is going to be a change,’ one previously strong supporter of the PM said. 

‘There has been a lot of smarting by MPs about that kind of mismanagement. We are looking for real change in in comms and direction. We need to see something different now. It’s got to be more on the front foot and looking at unintended consequences.’

There are also complaints that 1922 chair Sir Graham Brady was being denied access to the PM. ‘There has been a real problem with getting access to the PM. Even under Theresa May she might have ignored what she was told but at least she was told it to her face,’ the Tory added.

‘For him to rebuff the 22, not have a regularly fortnightly meeting with the chairman, is completely wrong… it’s not clever.’  

The MP said Mr Johnson might decide he wants to go but would want to leave ‘on a high’ – suggesting the roll-out of a vaccine could be a prime moment. 

‘The guy could be earning a load more money. He is a very saleable asset. If Theresa May can earn a million being an absolute failure of a PM… ‘ the MP said.

‘He’s had a sh** year. He should have really just been focusing on Brexit, instead of which he has had to bear the brunt of this unprecedented virus.

‘I’d think he would at least want to go out on a high. The way you do that is to ensure that the vaccine does start to roll out.’ 

However, other MPs insisted ‘rumours of Boris’s demise are exaggerated’, saying he could recover his position by appointing the right person to get a grip on No10.  

The war of words, played out in claim and counter-claim, has cast a shadow over Mr Johnson’s leadership at a time when the country should be focused on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

Downing Street has been braced for a series of ‘revenge’ stories since Mr Cummings and Mr Cain left, given their inside knowledge of the corridors of power.

Friends of Ms Symonds told the Daily Mail she had ended the ‘macho culture’ within No 10, denying claims that Mr Johnson was ‘running government by girlfriend’ and accused detractors of ‘rank misogyny’.