brexit countdown_bg Created with Sketch.

Maverick No10 aide Dominic Cummings is 'like a small child' in meetings because he keeps asking 'why?', a Cabinet minister has revealed.

The insight into the former Vote Leave chief's methods comes amid growing alarm at the extend of his control over Boris Johnson's administration.

The senior minister told MailOnline he causes frustration by holding up routine government actions, wanting to 'take everything to pieces and start again'.

There have been claims of widening splits in Downing Street as Mr Johnson ignores more moderate long-term aides and places his faith entirely in Mr Cummings.

The 47-year-old has faced a furious backlash for orchestrating the government's hardline approach on Brexit, with calls for him to be axed in the wake of the shock Supreme Court defeat and strong rhetoric against Remainer MPs.

There was also an outcry after he summarily sacked one of Sajid Javid's advisers for being in contact with Remainers, and had her frogmarched out of No10.

However, Mr Cummings also inspires intense loyalty among many colleagues and has been given licence to operate freely by the PM.

Maverick No10 aide Dominic Cummings (pictured at Tory conference in Manchester yesterday) is 'like a small child' in meetings because he keeps asking 'why?', a Cabinet minister has revealed

There have been claims of splits in Downing Street as Boris Johnson (pictured at conference today) ignores more moderate long-term aides and places his faith entirely in Mr Cummings

He fuelled the row last week by speaking publicly about the Brexit standoff, saying MPs should not be 'surprised' at public fury.

'The MPs said we will have a referendum, we will respect the result and then they spent three years swerving all over the shop,' he said.

Lifting the curtain on what it is like working with Mr Cummings at the heart of government, the minister told MailOnline: 'In meetings, it's a lot like having a small child in the corner - ''Why? Why? Why?''

'Things we all take for granted, he wants to take to pieces and start again.

'He's not in the bubble like the rest of us, he doesn't know anyone - like an ordinary person.

'I suppose it's a good thing in many ways. You look at things with fresh eyes. He is always very polite, doesn't interrupt and then just makes his point.

'There's no shouting or anything.'

Dominic Cummings is pictured leaving the Conservative Party conference in Manchester this evening

Elections guru Lynton Crosby and long-standing supporter Will Walden are among those said to have been cut out of the Prime Minister's inner circle after rows, causing anger and concern.

Mr Cummings, 47, is believed to be behind Mr Johnson's decision to adopt a hardline attack on his political opponents that included disastrously proroguing Parliament and branding the Benn Act which blocks a No Deal Brexit, the 'surrender act', sparking uproar.

The premier is also seeking more and more advice from Ms Symonds, 31, a former communications director of the Conservative Party.

Former Tory rebels have been openly calling for Mr Cummings to be sacked.

Amber Rudd, the former Tory Cabinet minister, said Mr Johnson is 'clearly not getting good advice' and he should 'certainly consider some people's positions'.

Dominic Grieve, the former Tory attorney general, echoed a similar sentiment as he said Mr Cummings is 'not fit to be an adviser to the Prime Minister'.

Mr Cummings has privately indicated he will not stick around in government beyond October 31, whether or not the Brexit issue has been resolved.

Mr Johnson is said to be increasingly seeking advice from girlfriend Carrie Symonds (pictured at conference yesterday), a former communications director of the Conservative Party