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The coronavirus blame game has begunAs Boris Johnson and his government struggle with testing, ventilators and exit strategy, ministers and MPs are turning their fire on the civil service - and Mark Sedwill in particular
My latest with @GeorgeWParker https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Multiple ministers, officials and aides told the FT that the No10âs political team and Sir Mark have fallen out over the handle of the crisis.
Downing Street insiders say there's
"growing angerâ at his alleged âinability to execute what needs to be doneâ https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Downing Street insiders say there's
"growing angerâ at his alleged âinability to execute what needs to be doneâ https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
One No10 insider criticised Sir Mark's manner: âHe's very rude, short-tempered and old-school hierarchical.â
The atmosphere is said to be toxic. âIt's fucking tense in there,â said one Conservative official. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
The atmosphere is said to be toxic. âIt's fucking tense in there,â said one Conservative official. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Criticism of Sir Markâs leadership in this crisis has come from other civil servants too, who point to his relative lack of domestic experience.
"People are saying that Jeremy Heywood would have handled things differently,â one senior Whitehall figure. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
"People are saying that Jeremy Heywood would have handled things differently,â one senior Whitehall figure. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
But Cabinet Office insiders say these allegations are âutter toshâ and said âpeople are shit-stirringâ.
A spokesperson said "There is no truth to this. The cabinet secretary and PM are working in lockstep.â https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
A spokesperson said "There is no truth to this. The cabinet secretary and PM are working in lockstep.â https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Cabinet ministers are also targeting their ire at NHS/PHE leadership for the lack of testing:
"The NHS bureaucracy is something to behold. The conversations have been pure âThick of Itâ. Theyâre proud of their independence and wonât yield for anyone." https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
"The NHS bureaucracy is something to behold. The conversations have been pure âThick of Itâ. Theyâre proud of their independence and wonât yield for anyone." https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Other senior Conservatives are blaming the political team in No10 for the chaos, not the civil service. One well placed Tory accuses those advising the prime minister as "inexperienced, unpleasant and naiveâ https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
On the team around Mr Johnson: âThere is a lot of tension in there because they realised they are desperately trying to make up ground,â one senior Tory said - suggesting they "wasted a lot of timeâ by pursuing a herd immunity strategy. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
In defence of the No10 team, one insider said âthis is an unprecedented global health crisis and everyone is focused fully on delivering the best possible response.â
Also worth noting many officials have been off sick over the last fortnight. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Also worth noting many officials have been off sick over the last fortnight. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Final target for the circular firing squad is Mr Johnson.One Tory MP said: "Iâm worried he is isolated, unwell and isnât receiving good advice.â
Another said he looked âdireâ and claimed there were fears in the party that âhe doesnât have a gripâ. https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
Ally of Mr Johnson defends the PM:
"Everyone is trying their best and heâs not in trouble yet. But the next few weeks are going to be very tough for all of us. It will get worse and heâll need all the support he can get.â https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
"Everyone is trying their best and heâs not in trouble yet. But the next few weeks are going to be very tough for all of us. It will get worse and heâll need all the support he can get.â https://www.ft.com/content/b7277a55-387b-4529-85af-54c7a691b0cc
