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The elimination of former Vote Leave employees from Boris Johnson’s inner circle has continued with the departure of Oliver Lewis, a key aide who was appointed to lead unit 10 dedicated to keeping the union together just over a fortnight ago.
Lewis, who was head of research on the Vote Leave campaign under Dominic Cummings, acted as David Frost’s de facto deputy when he negotiated the UK Brexit deal.
Friends said Lewis had decided to resign because he felt his position within Downing Street had become untenable, with one suggesting that he had been accused of leaking the press.
“He was loyal to Boris for more than five years – he has done a lot for the administration,” said a senior conservative.
Number 10 has been beset by bitter infighting for power in recent months, most dramatically the November departure of Cummings, Johnson’s senior aide, shortly after the resignation of another Vote Leave alumnus, the then head of communications, Lee Cain.
Those departures were boosted after Johnson’s fiancee Carrie Symonds blocked Cain’s promotion to chief of staff. The loss of Lewis is also likely to be seen as related to the ongoing struggles for influence within the number 10.
It’s a surprise, though, as Lewis’s position was cemented earlier this month when he was put in charge of the union unit, the section within number 10 devoted to policies aimed at maintaining the union.
Lewis replaced former Scottish Conservative MP Luke Graham shortly after Johnson paid a visit to Scotland to push his pro-union message forward.
It is unclear who will assume the pivotal role, as Scottish independence is seen as a growing threat within the government as the Holyrood election approaches.
Scottish National Party Westminster Deputy Leader Kirsten Oswald said: “Boris Johnson’s taxpayer-funded campaign against independence is completely unraveling. As support for independence grows, conservatives are losing advisers like rats to a sinking ship. “
Lewis’s departure followed Frost’s unexpected promotion to a seat around the cabinet table earlier this week.
Frost’s new role, in which he will also chair the association council that oversees the implementation of the EU trade deal he negotiated, came after several Michael Gove allies landed excellent jobs at No. 10.
