Brexiteer provokes fury after claiming Dominic Cummings could receive an honour

Christopher Snowdon, a research fellow at the right-wing think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, provoked reaction by claiming that he expected Cummings to receive an honour in the future.

Last month a national newspaper reported that Cummings was planning to depart his role as senior adviser around Christmas time, when he considers Brexit ‘done’.

The Daily Mail has reported he will only stay in post if he considers he can ‘improve things’.

The tweet from Snowdon went viral as people reacted to claims his ‘insider’ had backed up his claim, which some said would be ‘spitting in the face’ of those who followed the lockdown rules.

A number however pointed out his ‘sources’ appared to be blatant trolling, while others remarked such a move would not be surprising given Tory prime ministers have been accused of such ‘cronyism’ in the past.

Former premiers have often award their advisers with honours after elections, and Cummings has been credited with both the EU referendum and the 2019 election win.

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, credited with Theresa May’s disastrous election strategy in 2017, were awarded CBEs.

Theresa May’s chief of staff Gavin Barwell was also elevated to the House of Lords.

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David Cameron awarded knighthoods to Patrick McLoughlin, the then chair of the Tory party, and Craig Oliver, his director of communications and who was heavily involved in the Remain campaign on behalf of Number 10.

Thousands responded to Snowdon’s tweet at the thought that Cummings, someone who has risen the ranks by fighting the ‘elite’, could be honoured.

‘That really would be spitting in the face of those who stuck to the lockdown rules, even at great emotional cost to themselves,’ tweeted David Head.

‘I hate the elite,’ wrote Dr Meenal Viz.

‘So he will be fighting the elites by becoming even more elitist than he already is? It is almost like he is a conman,’ posted @AmblingJohn.

‘How about Baron Cummings of Barnard Castle?’ questioned one.

‘For service to medieval castles, ophthalmology and driving I assume?’ asked another.

Downing Street reportedly recently intervened to prevent former House of Commons speaker John Bercow from receiving a peerage.

Last year it was claimed Dominic Cummings wanted to pack the House of Lords with Brexiteers to alter the political composition of the chamber, with one suggestion to include Wetherspoon boss and Boris Johnson backer Tim Martin.