Brexit architect Cummings quits as UK PM’s top aide

Dominic Cummings, the controversial brains behind the 2016 campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, will step down as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top aide, a government source said. 

Cummings, a divisive figure who carved out a uniquely powerful role in government, said Thursday he expected to leave at the end of the year, following the final stage of Brexit.

But he was seen leaving Johnson's 10 Downing Street office on Friday carrying a cardboard box.

The government source said Cummings would officially be employed until mid-December, but news outlets including Sky News and the BBC reported he would no longer be reporting for duty.

Cummings departure then would have coincided with the end of the Brexit transition period, when Britain embarks on life outside of European Union rules and regulations on January 1.

His premature departure led fellow Brexit champion Nigel Farage to tweet that "seeing him leave Number 10 carrying a cardboard box tells me a Brexit sell-out is close", as trade talks between Britain and the EU reach crunch time.

Cummings was appointed chief adviser by Johnson when he took power in July 2019. He helped to secure a thumping election victory last December but his reportedly controlling style and frequent clashes with colleagues are said to have led to persistent tensions.

The news comes just a day after the resignation of Johnson's communications director Lee Cain, a close Cummings ally.

The less high-profile, Cain had been offered the post of chief of staff.

But a subsequent backlash among some Conservatives and within the prime minister's inner circle instead led to him to quit.

The departure of both men, alongside the launch of US-style daily televised press briefings, could herald a shift in tone and strategy from Johnson's government.