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Backlash as Mark Francois tells head of army that Dominic Cummings will 'sort him out'

Parliament TV
Parliament TV

Mark Francois has been both condemned and ridiculed after he told the UK's most senior army general that Dominic Cummings was going to "sort him out."

The Tory MP and prominent Brexiteer made the apparent threat to Sir Nick Carter as he lambasted the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Cummings, Boris Johnson's most senior aide, is understood to be planning a major reform of defence spending as he moves ahead with his bid to shake up Whitehall.

Speaking at the Defence Select Committee in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Francois told Sir Nick, who is chief of the Defence Staff: "Can we just make a plea to you. You are the professional head of the armed forces.

"Please nip back to the department and ask them to sort their bloody selves out, because if not, Cummings is going to come down there and sort you out his own way – and you won't like it."

Mark Francois suggested Dominic Cummings would sort the army general out (Getty Images)
Mark Francois suggested Dominic Cummings would sort the army general out (Getty Images)

The General, who is a veteran of conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, did not seem shaken by the thought.

He responded simply with a wry smile.

Committee chair and fellow Tory MP Tobias Ellwood then noted: "I think that message is passed on."

Social media users responded to Mr Francois’s comments with outrage and delight in equal measure.

British actor Adil Ray OBE wrote scathingly on Twitter: “Threatening the General, Sir Nick Carter The Chief of Defence that he and his men will get a good telling off by an unelected adviser. British Politics.”

While another user wrote: “Imagine being head of the armed forces, and having Mark Francois trying to intimidate you.

“It’s like a chinuaua trying to scare a bull mastiff.”

A parody account for the European Research Group chairman, tweeted: “I can confirm that myself and Dominic Cummings will be meeting General Nick Carter for a straightener behind the bike sheds after work.”

And another Twitter user shared a screen grab of Sir Nick, writing: “His face says it all.”

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