Key Boris Johnson adviser ‘forced out’ of Foreign Office in bitter power struggle with Theresa May’s team
May advisers reportedly took a 'heavy-handed' approach with BoJo ally Will Walden as part of a bigger power play to control the Foreign Office
DOWNING Street was last night accused of forcing out Boris Johnson’s key aide amid a bitter power struggle with the Foreign Secretary.
Theresa May’s two joint chiefs of staff refused to sign off a significant title for his long-standing adviser Will Walden.
Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill also insisted BoJo’s closest advisor took close to a £40,000 pay cut.
Mr Walden has been alongside Boris since his re-election as London Mayor in 2012, where he earned £130,000-a-year as director of communications at City Hall.
Theresa May’s most senior officials have been accused by Boris’s friends of hardball tactics to push Mr Walden out of the Foreign Office and weaken Boris’s political operation.
A friend of the Foreign Secretary, who ran against Mrs May for the Tory leadership, said: “Nick and Fiona wanted Will out because they are control freaks and he wasn’t prepared to be No10’s puppet.
“For them, it’s always either Theresa’s way or the highway.
“Will has seen the writing on wall for some time sadly.”
Boris fought hard to keep ex-BBC journalist Mr Walden.
But he eventually gave up once he realised Mrs May’s two key lieutenants would not budge.
Tory MPs also complained about No10’s intervention, branding it “heavy-handed”.
One MP said it was “irregular” for No 10 to interfere with the Foreign Secretary’s appointments to his own office.
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It has emerged that Mr Walden had been working unpaid in Mr Johnson’s office while his official status was discussed.
Mr Walden wouldn’t comment yesterday.
A No 10 spokesman would only say: “Will Walden has withdrawn his application.
“We have no comment to make.”