Boris Johnson’s senior adviser has mocked the Cabinet ahead of a reshuffle which is expected to see a number of ministers lose their jobs.
Dominic Cummings suggested that a team of cartoon superheroes could do a better job of running the country than the current crop of ministers.
Downing Street confirmed that a reshuffle will be carried out on Thursday ahead of a meeting of the new-look Cabinet on Friday.
READ MORE: Michael Gove: 'UK has 'moral responsibility' to lead world on tackling climate change'
Senior ministers including Chancellor Sajid Javid, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab are expected to remain in place, while Downing Street has confirmed that Grant Shapps will stay on as Transport Secretary.
Mr Cummings had reportedly been seeking a wider reshuffle and shake-up of Whitehall ministries than is now expected to be delivered.
Asked for his views, he suggested that PJ Masks – a team of animated superheroes popular with children – could do a better job than all the Cabinet.
Flying into 2020 like… pic.twitter.com/1ZCYwmbU9e
— The PJ Masks (@PJMasks) December 31, 2019
Leaving his home in Islington, north London, Mr Cummings uttered an allusion to the theme tune of PJ Masks when asked about the HS2 high-speed rail project – which is set to go ahead despite his objections.
Dominic Cummings says "we need PJ Masks on the job"
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) February 11, 2020
Asked for his response to the government's decision to go ahead with HS2, the PM's senior adviser channels the crime-fighting superheroes and says: "The night time is the right time to fight crime"https://t.co/62QwKDsUwN pic.twitter.com/2nw0PAZiV7
“The night time is the right time to fight crime,” the bemused-looking father said in a bizarre doorstep interview by the BBC. “I can’t think of a rhyme.”
Asked about the reshuffle, he replied: “PJ Masks will do a greater job than all of them put together.”
READ MORE: Boris Johnson gives HS2 rail link green light despite environmental concerns
Mr Javid is expected to be safe at the Treasury despite his reported feud with Mr Cummings, but Defence Secretary Ben Wallace’s fate looks less certain.
The PM is widely expected to cut a number of women ministers from the eight in his 31-strong Cabinet, jeopardising the already poor gender balance.
Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom could be ousted in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Fearing she is among those to be cast aside, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom issued a warning against “male-dominated” environments in a Daily Telegraph article.
A replacement Culture Secretary is also likely as the Government considers controversial changes to the BBC licence fee, with Nicky Morgan saying she expects to go.
The PM must also find a new president of the COP26 environment summit in Glasgow, having provoked an attack on his green record from former minister Claire O’Neill when he sacked her.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove appears to be the frontrunner having previously been environment secretary, but he refused to be drawn on his chances on Tuesday.
Steve Barclay will also be hoping to return to the Cabinet from the backbenches after his role as Brexit Secretary ended with the UK’s formal departure from the EU last month.
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