UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed a new chief of staff as well as a new director of communications after losing five close associates in recent days in the aftermath of the Partygate scandal, according to the BBC.
The appointment of Steve Barclay as cabinet office minister and Guto Harri as head of communications was announced on Saturday, Belga news agency reports.
Barclay “will take on a significant new role of integrating the new Office of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office, driving the government’s agenda more efficiently and ensuring that it is better aligned with the Cabinet and backbenchers,” Downing Street announced in a statement.
Harri, a former BBC correspondent, was Johnson’s spokesman and chief of staff while he was mayor of London.
The appointments cap a week during which Johnson lost five close associates, including his chief of staff, director of communications and private secretary, all three of whom were involved in the Partygate scandal, sparked by reports of parties held during the Coronavirus lockdown in which he or his associates participated.
An investigation into the revelations noted that “leadership errors” were committed.
Johnson, who has come under pressure following the disclosures, has since apologized and promised changes in the way the Cabinet and Downing Street function.
