James Chapman, the former DExEU chief-of-staff and Mail journo, has been firing off fascinating allegations on Twitter about his former boss and Brexit Secretary David Davis.
Here are some of the juiciest:
1. Horrifying the Slovakian PM
Someone should ask DD about time he told horrified Slovakian PM “if you think we are going to pay so you can sell us your cars, forget it”
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
2. Being too chummy with BBC journalists like Andrew Neil and John Humphrys
DD was also relaxed about @afneil as they drink (lots) together regularly and his producer Robbie Gibb is a deranged Brexiteer now at No10
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
DD would never prep for @bbcradio4 as he knew Humphrys would do Brexit chums act then hector and interrupt @labour spokespeople #byebyejohn
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
It is totally inappropriate for Humphrys to conduct Brexit interviews. Mail has to be prised out of his hands and he holidays with DD
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
I won’t go on @bbcradio4 again until they replace DD’s Brexiteer chum Humphrys with the universally respected @carolynquinncq #wemarchon
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
3. Working a three-day week
Wish I could say the same for DD. He’s been working 3 day week since day one #byebyeconkip #thedemocrats https://t.co/nga2K6POxO
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
4. Acting “drunk, bullying and inappropriate” with Diane Abbott
I was with DD when he leered over @hackneyabbott. He was drunk, bullying and inappropriate #thedemocrats #wemarchon
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
5. Ordering someone else to make him plain ham sandwiches (no butter)
He can’t even make plain ham sandwiches (no butter) – an unfortunate woman in his private office has to bring one to him every day https://t.co/cLtH32T7Mh
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
6. Ignoring how existing trade deals with non-EU countries would play out
This is a lie. They all fall away as DD would know if he ever bothered to read his box #misconduct #thedemocrats #wemarchon https://t.co/TX5RF5rJck
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
7. Calling up Nigel Farage….
Still got Farage on speed dial DD? #thedemocrats #wemarchon
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
8. …and demanding civil servants saved his number on his office phone
And he ordered appalled civil servants to programme it into his official phone. They refused #thedemocrats #wemarchon https://t.co/zxVzB5pitg
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
9. Mistaking Michel Barnier for a “far-right” friend on the phone
Someone should ask DD about time he called @michelbarnier by mistake thinking he was talking to a far-right friend #thedemocrats #wemarchon
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
10. Taking six sugars in his tea, stirred in by someone else
Six actually – and it has to be stirred for him https://t.co/G2IiGKcxxE
— James Chapman (@jameschappers) August 15, 2017
***
Davis himself denies having Farage on speed dial, though admits to having his number. On Good Morning Britain, he referred to Chapman as “dear old James” and said:
“James did a great job as my chief-of-staff, but even the day he arrived he was a Remainer.”
Your mole contacted the Department for Exiting the European Union to find out Davis’ response to Chapman’s other allegations, and was pointed towards his similar comments on Sky News this morning:
“James was a ‘Remainer’ from the beginning, but he was a very good Chief of Staff. I am not going to criticise or argue with him [on air].”
Your mole has also asked BBC News about its presenters’ relationship with the Brexit Secretary. Radio 4 Today programme editor Sarah Sands said on Twitter that Davis and Humphrys have never been on holiday together, and Andrew Neil denies being a regular drinking buddy. They are not providing any further response to Chapman’s claims.
Not true. John has never been on holiday with David Davis.
— sarah sands (@sarahsands100) August 15, 2017
Simply untrue. Have dined with DD once in 10 years (you were there), lunched once in 10 years. NEVER had drinks with him in 20 years or more
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) August 15, 2017
How the Secretary of State takes his tea and sandwiches remains unconfirmed.