Cummings set to leave Downing Street by Christmas as Tories tell Johnson to remove top adviser

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing November 13, 2020 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines Boris Johnson is facing growing pressure from within his own party to [sideline or ditch Dominic Cummings](, amid reports that Downing Street’s top adviser will leave his post by the end of the year. The news comes after the dramatic departure of the Vote Leave supremo’s closest ally, Lee Cain. Tory backbenchers told The Independent that Mr Cain’s resignation as director of communications should provide an opportunity for the prime minister to reshape his administration and bring in voices from outside what one MP called “the Take Back Control boy band”. Last night the BBC reported Mr Cummings would vacate Downing Street by Christmas, citing a senior source at No 10. The UK’s [coronavirus death toll has risen by 563]( across a 24-hour period while the number of fatalities has spiked to the highest number ever recorded by the Department for Health and Social Care. Government figures put the number of fatalities at a slightly lower figure than the previous day’s total of almost 600, with the nationwide tally now standing at 50,365 since the beginning of the outbreak, although the true number could be even higher. Since January, when the first cases were observed on UK soil, 61,648 fatalities have been recorded where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Meanwhile, the latest case figures added 33,470 new infections to the nation’s total. French president Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the prospect of US president-elect Joe Biden rejoining the 2015 Paris climate accord, calling it a chance to [“make our planet great again”](. Mr Macron’s comments followed those of other world leaders including the British prime minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who welcomed Mr Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the US election as a boost to global cooperation in tackling climate change. In contrast to four years of policy inaction under Mr Trump, who withdrew the US from the accord, Mr Biden has pledged a $2 trillion plan to boost American investment in clean energy and combat global warming. . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [The 2020 John Lewis Christmas ad is here, and it’s different from any other]( [Grealish shows England and Ireland what they’ve been missing]( [Biden speaks to Pope Francis as Trump continues to claim election victory]( . Uncertain times, unrivalled clarity, unlimited access Enjoy 50% off Independent Premium for 12 months with this limited-time offer [Subscribe now]( . More news - [Obama hits out at Republicans ‘humouring’ Trump fraud claims]( - [Another Covid vaccine about to be approved in US, says Fauci]( - [Almost 140,000 patients waiting longer than a year for NHS treatment]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.