People's Vote campaign in chaos over attempt to 'sack' two senior figures

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Tim Baker28 October 2019
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The People’s Vote campaign was in disarray this morning over an attempt to “sack” two senior figures in the group working towards a second EU referendum.

The chaos began when Roland Rudd, chairman of the Open Britain group and brother of former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, attempted to fire by email the head of communications Tom Baldwin and director James McGrory.

He also announced a new interim CEO for Open Britain, which is one of six “constituent groups” that make up the campaign calling for a second referendum on Brexit.

However, it soon became clear that many within People’s Vote did not recognise Mr Rudd as having the authority to make the staff changes.

In bizarre scenes this morning, Mr Baldwin and Mr McGrory were seen going into work this morning at the campaign’s base in Millbank, while Mr Rudd refused to enter the building.

ITV's Political Editor Robert Peston tweeted: "People’s Vote has gone full People’s Front of Judea.

"McGrory and Baldwin are in the PV office in Millbank. Rudd and Heneghan are outside refusing to enter while M and B on premises, and are threatening legal action for trespass. Oh dear."

Speaking this morning on the BBC Today programme, Mr Baldwin explained why he would be going into work.

He said: “Roland Rudd has told me not to go into work today but the thing is, I don’t work for Roland Rudd.

"I’m planning to go into work because we’ve got actually quite a busy week ahead.

"It doesn’t seem to be the best week to be putting a wrecking ball through the campaign, demoralising staff and demoralising all the thousands and thousands of activists paying for our campaign."

Presser further on whether Mr Rudd sacked him, Mr Baldwin said: "He technically controls my contract but he didn't appoint me. He doesn't pay me."

Mr Rudd later appeared on the same programme to say that “the vast majority of people in Millbank [People’s Vote’s offices] are on Open Britain contracts”.

He went on to say that he believes this week is crunch time when it comes to getting People’s Vote, potentially through amending Boris Johnson’s deal and that he is always in and out of the office.

He added: "Listen, there's no row about where we stand. We all want another vote."

Asked if Mr Baldwin is still welcome within the campaign, Mr Rudd said he has "an opportunity for a different type of role".

Mr Rudd added: "I want to make clear, there's no row about the remain side and PV. Everyone knows where we stand on this."

Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor and eminent People’s Vote campaigner, wrote on Twitter: “[Roland Rudd] is chair of Open Britain. He styles himself as chair of PV but this has never been agreed by all.

“He has tonight sent an email, without any consultation with the other groups, saying James McGrory and Tom Baldwin have been fired to be replaced immediately by Patrick Heneghan of @euromove (again without consulting EM) as interim CEO PV. He does not have the right to do so.”

An ally of Mr Baldwin and Mr McGrory also told the Financial Times: “[Mr Rudd] is no more the chair of People’s Vote than Idi Amin was the Last King of Scotland.

“This is essentially a coup against the staff and the campaign by a multi-millionaire who has been to the offices only a handful of times.”

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