A government source said that Downing Street had decided to move Ms Davidson away from the defence
brief and she was offered jobs in the health and education department but did not accept either.
The source said that conversations over the move took place before the meeting with Mr Cummings.
Ms Davidson’s clash with Mr Cummings came after last month’s reshuffle which saw several of
Westminster’s special advisers lose their jobs as their ministerial bosses were dumped the cabinet.
Aides were said to have been angered by his comments ahead of the cabinet shake-up that he would “see
some of you next week”.
Former Sun journalist Ms Davidson was said to have told Mr Cummings that he was “out of order” and
should show more consideration to young staff doing their best in difficult circumstances.
The government is currently facing an employment tribunal case brought by former Treasury special
adviser Sonia Khan, who was marched out of Downing Street by an armed police officer last August after
being dismissed by Mr Cummings.
And former chancellor Sajid Javid’s resignation was sparked by Mr Johnson ordering him to give up his
team of special advisers and instead rely on a joint unit run by No 10.
Special advisers have traditionally been chosen by individual ministers, subject to the prime minister’s
approval, and are a key means for them to develop policy and get their message across through the media.
The career of a “spad” is a perilous one, as their fortunes rise and fall along with their ministers, and they
frequently lose their jobs when their political masters are sacked.