Andrew Cummings

Andrew Cummings was formerly an adviser on the Middle East and US affairs in the UK cabinet office national security staff.

From a Leeds University event profile:
 * Andrew graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and an MA in Terrorism and Security. Following his appointment to the Civil Service Fast Stream Andrew worked briefly in the Department for Transport before moving to HM Treasury where he worked on Terrorist Financing. Andrew subsequently moved to the Home Office on promotion to become the Head of Strategic Development in the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism's PREVENT Unit. In this role, Andrew was responsible for efforts to counter-radicalisation, in particular he managed a number of pioneering community de-radicalisation projects across the country. Since April 2009 Andrew has led on Middle Eastern issues in the Prime Minister's Foreign and Defence Policy team based in the Cabinet Office. As well as supporting the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Andrew also support the newly formed National Security Council. Andrew has also temporarily worked as the Private Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister on Foreign and Defence issues.

In favor of assassination campaign
In an opinion piece in the Guardian:CIS section, Cummings provides a warped history of the pressure exerted by the US/Israel against Iran about its nuclear program. The article neglects to mention the US NIE finding that confirmed that Iran had dropped it nuclear weapons program in 2003. It neglectes to mention the Brazilian/Turkish diplomatic intermediation, and the history of bad-faith negotiations with Iran conducted by both the US and the EU (particularly France). Cummings' article was in response to the latest assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist, and Cummings concludes:
 * Covert action creates the time and space for pressure to build, while reducing the need for military action. Ultimately, covert action should be aimed at bringing enough pressure to bear on Iran's leaders so that they understand they will never reach their goal of being a nuclear power. It is only at that point diplomacy can have any hope of success.

In other words, Cummings argues in favor of assassination and sabotage campaign against Iran.

Contact

 * Twitter: @AndyCummings81