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Downing Street attempts to rein in Lib Dem-baiting Michael Gove ally Downing Street attempts to rein in Lib Dem-baiting Michael Gove ally
(about 1 hour later)
Nick Clegg has asked the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, to remind a former special adviser to Michael Gove of his duty of confidentiality after a series of leaks and a barrage of criticism mounted over the way Clegg announced a policy of universal free school meals for primary schoolchildren.Nick Clegg has asked the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, to remind a former special adviser to Michael Gove of his duty of confidentiality after a series of leaks and a barrage of criticism mounted over the way Clegg announced a policy of universal free school meals for primary schoolchildren.
Conservative Downing Street aides say efforts have been made to rein in Dominic Cummings, who has launched a series of barbed analyses of what he describes as a dysfunctional Whitehall machine, sometimes with the apparent support of Gove, the education secretary. Conservative Downing Street aides say efforts have been made to rein in Dominic Cummings, who has launched a series of barbed analyses, sometimes with the apparent support of Gove, the education secretary, of what he describes as a dysfunctional Whitehall machine.
The code of conduct for special advisers, which was revised by the coalition in June 2010, states: "Under the terms of the civil service code, special advisers must continue to observe their duties of confidentiality after they have left their employment as a special adviser".The code of conduct for special advisers, which was revised by the coalition in June 2010, states: "Under the terms of the civil service code, special advisers must continue to observe their duties of confidentiality after they have left their employment as a special adviser".
Some Conservative sources said there was no clear means by which this code could be enforced, although the rules are clearer if a former special adviser plans to publish a memoir. The code clearly states any memoir must be submitted to Whitehall for prior clearance.Some Conservative sources said there was no clear means by which this code could be enforced, although the rules are clearer if a former special adviser plans to publish a memoir. The code clearly states any memoir must be submitted to Whitehall for prior clearance.
The Daily Mail claimed that Clegg had asked for Cummings to be arrested under the Official Secrets Act, but that was denied by Clegg's office. A Lib Dem source said "there is no police investigation. Nor are we calling for one".The Daily Mail claimed that Clegg had asked for Cummings to be arrested under the Official Secrets Act, but that was denied by Clegg's office. A Lib Dem source said "there is no police investigation. Nor are we calling for one".
Cummings has been urging Tory cabinet ministers to take the chairmanship of the cabinet's home affairs committee from Clegg as a reprisal after the European elections, suggesting the post be given to the Lib Dem chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.Cummings has been urging Tory cabinet ministers to take the chairmanship of the cabinet's home affairs committee from Clegg as a reprisal after the European elections, suggesting the post be given to the Lib Dem chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.
Cummings claims the home affairs committee had been "turned into a piggybank to buy off Clegg".Cummings claims the home affairs committee had been "turned into a piggybank to buy off Clegg".
He has also been taunting the deputy prime minister by suggesting that David Cameron "shunt Clegg into a corner with a fig leaf for his ego, something grand-sounding but fundamentally trivial," adding "Heywood is very good at this".He has also been taunting the deputy prime minister by suggesting that David Cameron "shunt Clegg into a corner with a fig leaf for his ego, something grand-sounding but fundamentally trivial," adding "Heywood is very good at this".
He also claims that Clegg's criticisms were preventing the Gove team from implementing reforms.He also claims that Clegg's criticisms were preventing the Gove team from implementing reforms.
Cummings has so far laughed at the idea of being arrested, saying he is prepared to repeat his criticisms under oath.Cummings has so far laughed at the idea of being arrested, saying he is prepared to repeat his criticisms under oath.