James Forsyth James Forsyth

A warning shot across Gordon’s bow

In the last week there have been several stories about how Stephen Carter, the PM’s chief strategist, is to be demoted or moved; Brown can hardly bear to look at him any more according to one source. But Patrick Wintour’s piece in The Guardian today suggests that Carter isn’t planning on going quietly.

Wintour reports that Carter has apparently also lost the confidence of Jeremy Heywood, the permanent secretary at Number Ten. Yet, Carter isn’t intending to resign. Friends of Carter tell Wintour that:

“He is far more effective and intelligent than the people in No 10 briefing against him. He is also a very resilient guy and is not going to be put off from doing an excellent job.

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