Overview
- Multiple outlets report that National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell is considering leaving by the end of the year.
- Downing Street says he has no plans to step down and disputes that he was offered the chief of staff position.
- Coverage says he declined informal approaches to be chief of staff and is weighing a return to his mediation consultancy.
- Powell is credited with brokering the Chagos Islands agreement, reported to include a £35 billion, 99-year leaseback of the Diego Garcia base.
- Any exit would add to recent senior departures, with reports highlighting earlier exits by Morgan McSweeney, Tim Allan and Sir Chris Wormald linked to the Mandelson fallout.