Number 10 defends giving Brexiteer key national security role

The prime minister has faced criticism that unlike previous holders of the post, David Frost is a political adviser rather than a career civil servant, and lacks security experience.

He will replace Sir Mark Sedwill, who is also stepping down as cabinet secretary and head of the Civil Service, amid reports of clashes with Johnson’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings.

The former cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell warned that political appointees were more likely to be ‘yes-men’ – telling ministers what they wanted to hear rather than ‘speaking truth to power’.

‘I’m worried about the appointment of David Frost as national security adviser because I’m not quite sure how putting a special adviser in that role works,’ he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

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Johnson sought to play down claims that Sir Mark’s position had been undermined by a series of hostile press briefings.

Cummings was reported to have been unimpressed by the response of the Cabinet Office to the coronavirus outbreak, telling aides a ‘hard rain is coming’ for the Civil Service.

Speaking during a visit to a school in west London, Johnson sought to play down claims that he had been deliberately undermined through hostile press briefings, making his position impossible.

‘I try not to read too much of the negative briefing,’ he said.

‘There is an awful lot of stuff that comes out in the papers to which I wouldn’t automatically attach the utmost credence.’

He dismissed suggestions that he was now seeking another committed Brexiteer to take over as cabinet secretary.

‘Who knows what his or her views will be?’ he said.

‘The great thing about the Civil Service is that nobody should know, least of all me.’

Downing Street insisted such appointments were not unusual in other countries and that Frost – who has the status of an ambassador – had spent 25 years as a diplomat in the Foreign Office before leaving in 2013.

‘The appointment of the NSA is always a decision for the prime minister,’ his official spokesman said.

‘It is not unusual in other countries for ambassadors to serve as national security advisers and ambassadors can be political appointees. David Frost has the status of an ambassador.

‘The First Civil Service Commissioner has agreed the appointment. That is consistent with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act.’

The spokesman confirmed that Frost – who is to be made a life peer with a seat in the Lords – would not be replaced as EU negotiator when he takes over as national security adviser at the end of August.

‘It (the post) will cease to exist once the talks with the EU have concluded one way or another later this year,’ the spokesman said.

‘We have been clear on a number of occasions that these talks shouldn’t drag on and that we want and need them to concluded by the autumn.’