The View from Westminster

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Dominic Cummings... after all this time?   After eight weeks of the Covid inquiry's political governance module, we finally found out who was prime minister during the pandemic - Dominic Cummings.  "In all but name," at least. That was according to former chancellor and health secretary Sajid Javid, who told the inquiry Boris Johnson had entrusted his top adviser with far too much power. The consequence? Seasoned minister Mr Javid admitting he had "not experienced that extent of dysfunction in any government before".  It was another explosive day at the inquiry, which heard more quips about how the public should "die" from the former PM and was told how the more "cautious" Mr Javid was excluded from key meetings about the fast-spreading Omicron variant. Sir Patrick Vallance said it was "extraordinary".    The row over Rishi Sunak's cancelled meeting with Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis rumbled on, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer mocking the PM's diplomatic abilities.   And the Home Office's top civil servants Sir Matthew Rycroft and Simon Ridley got a grilling on immigration from senior MPs including Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson, who said they "haven't got a clue".  Quiz question  What do Michael Gove, the Shamen, Emeli Sandé and Katy Balls have in common? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Cummings was 'PM in all but name', says Sajid Javid Former chancellor said No 10 strategist made "many key Covid decisions" for Boris Johnson Blow for Sunak as UK to have second-slowest growth in G7 The OECD slashes its economic growth forecast for UK, while increasing the expected inflation rate EU president says Brexit can be reversed by next generation "We goofed it up, you have to fix it", Ursula von der Leyen tells young Britons Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations Tory HQ considers scrapping conference over election clash Your Covid apology is accepted, Mr Gove. But the public still demands justice What else do you need to know today? ● Rishi Sunak escalated his diplomatic row with Greece at PMQs – accusing the country's leader of trying to "grandstand" over the Elgin Marbles. ● Keir Starmer said Sunak had "lost his marbles" by trying to "humiliate" the Greece – calling him "the man with the reverse Midas touch" in a good Greek mythology pun. ● Lee Anderson savaged Home Offices chiefs for their "staggering" failure to provide figures on the faltering asylum system at an excruciating select committee hearing. ● Cabinet minister Steve Barclay confirmed restrictions on social care workers' relatives was being considered by Sunak in his immigration crackdown. Reading list ● The Independent's James Moore asks whether billionaire Peter Thiel is right on the need for a NHS shake-up ● The Independent's Andrew Grice says "tetchy" Rishi Sunak is making enemies abroad, and losing friends at home. ● The Guardian's Rafael Behr says Rwanda is a proxy in the war for the Tory soul – a war Sunak is losing. ● The Spectator's Kate Andrews asks if Rishi Sunak will ever see sense on the pensions triple lock. Inside the bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for tomorrow Former health secretary Matt Hancock should begin his two days of evidence at the Covid inquiry, so long as evidence by Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab doesn't rumble on and delay matters. Elsewhere, world leaders gather in Dubai for the COP28 climate summit. Rishi Sunak and the foreign secretary David Cameron are due to attend along with King Charles (taking separate flights, naturally). Any agreements are not expected until later in December.  Quotation of the day "There are no such things as the Elgin Marbles." Former Greek culture minister Melina Mercouri to the Oxford Union in 1986 Quiz answer: They are all from Aberdeen The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy