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Liz Truss's special adviser suspended and faces investigation | Liz Truss's special adviser suspended and faces investigation |
(30 minutes later) | |
One of the prime minister's most senior advisers has been suspended, the BBC understands. | One of the prime minister's most senior advisers has been suspended, the BBC understands. |
Jason Stein, a special adviser to Liz Truss, is to face a formal investigation by the Propriety and Ethics Team, which is responsible for standards across government. | Jason Stein, a special adviser to Liz Truss, is to face a formal investigation by the Propriety and Ethics Team, which is responsible for standards across government. |
It follows some anger from Conservative backbench MPs about briefings from No 10 sources over the weekend. | It follows some anger from Conservative backbench MPs about briefings from No 10 sources over the weekend. |
Mr Stein has not yet responded to requests for comment from the BBC. | Mr Stein has not yet responded to requests for comment from the BBC. |
Warning: strong language used further down in this article | |
He previously worked for Ms Truss when she was chief secretary to the Treasury before he became a special advisor to Amber Rudd. | He previously worked for Ms Truss when she was chief secretary to the Treasury before he became a special advisor to Amber Rudd. |
He also worked for Ms Truss during her Tory leadership campaign. | He also worked for Ms Truss during her Tory leadership campaign. |
Asked about the suspension, Ms Truss's spokesman refused to refer to Mr Stein by name, but told reporters: "The prime minister has made it very clear that some of the briefings are completely unacceptable and must stop." | Asked about the suspension, Ms Truss's spokesman refused to refer to Mr Stein by name, but told reporters: "The prime minister has made it very clear that some of the briefings are completely unacceptable and must stop." |
This was a reference to briefings to newspapers from those around her who can speak on her behalf, which contained strong language. | This was a reference to briefings to newspapers from those around her who can speak on her behalf, which contained strong language. |
Over the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that Ms Truss was of the view that the former Chancellor and Health Secretary Sajid Javid was "shit". | Over the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that Ms Truss was of the view that the former Chancellor and Health Secretary Sajid Javid was "shit". |
It was expected that Mr Javid would raise the matter at Prime Minister's Questions, but I understand both he and Mr Stein were told just before midday of the special adviser's suspension. | It was expected that Mr Javid would raise the matter at Prime Minister's Questions, but I understand both he and Mr Stein were told just before midday of the special adviser's suspension. |
Mr Javid had been seen by some as a possible replacement for Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor, but Jeremy Hunt was picked instead. | Mr Javid had been seen by some as a possible replacement for Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor, but Jeremy Hunt was picked instead. |
Asked if Mr Stein had offered his resignation, a Conservative source said "that is not my understanding". | Asked if Mr Stein had offered his resignation, a Conservative source said "that is not my understanding". |
Before joining Downing Street, Jason Stein used to work as a communications adviser to Prince Andrew. | Before joining Downing Street, Jason Stein used to work as a communications adviser to Prince Andrew. |
It's understood he left as an employee of the prince when his advice not to do an interview with [BBC Newsnight's] Emily Maitlis was ignored. | It's understood he left as an employee of the prince when his advice not to do an interview with [BBC Newsnight's] Emily Maitlis was ignored. |