Boris Johnson hires two experienced fixers to run revamped No10 machine
BORIS Johnson drafted in a pair of heavyweights last night to run a revamped Downing Street machine.
The embattled PM hired two experienced fixers to overhaul his top team and get his ailing administration back on track.
Sources said more heads will roll as the overhaul continues.
Mr Johnson acted swiftly amid fears Tory MPs were edging closer to the 54 letters required to trigger a confidence vote.
Cabinet Office supremo Steve Barclay was appointed chief of staff to replace lacklustre Dan Rosenfield axed in last week’s clear-out.
Mr Barclay — who will remain a minister — will create a powerful new Office of the Prime Minister.
He is joined at the top table by “Welsh wizard” Guto Harri, BoJo’s spin doctor during his time as London Mayor, who will become Director of Communications.
Ex—BBC journalist Harri quit GB News after he took the knee during a discussion on football racism.
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A source said: “Boris wants to reunite the old gang.”
Last night it emerged that more aides will be forced out as Mr Johnson reshapes his team. Henry Newman — blamed for some of No10’s own goals — will be exiled.
Mr Johnson has also met two other key demands of loyal MPs — to bring forward true blue policies and end the “woke” initiatives championed by aides like Mr Newman.
Mr Johnson said last night: “The changes will improve how No10 operates and accelerate our defining mission to level up the country.”
But Tony Blair’s chief of staff questioned how Mr Barclay could remain an MP. Jonathan Powell said: “Who pays his salary? It all seems a bit desperate.”
Guto Harri
NEW JOB: Director of Communications
NICKNAME: The Welsh Wizard
AGE: 55
KIDS: Three
EDUCATED: Oxford
JOBS: BBC and PR. Worked for Boris at City Hall 2008 -2012
Steve Barclay
NEW JOB: Chief of Staff
NICKNAME: Mr Fixit
AGE: 49
KIDS: Two
EDUCATED: Cambridge
JOBS: Financial sector. Elected MP in 2010, minister in 2016, Cabinet in 2018.
