With CCHQ closing down the CRD and Gavin Barwell off to work for Lord Ashcroft, news reaches Guido that Steve Hilton’s number two, Dan Ritterband, is leaving without a replacement lined up.

The ex-Saatchi man has been responsible for the creativity and slick presentation of Cameron’s leadership campaign and the visual makeover at CCHQ over the last 6 months. Known as a charmer (girls and boys apparently – a truly inclusive moderniser) “beautifully dressed in designer clothes and never been seen wearing a tie” says one admirer*. He came to CCHQ via Policy Exchange and Michael Howard’s office. He had wanted to leave immediately after the election, rumour has it that he might be off to the States where he wants to work on the Democrats’ next presidential campaign, but his French boyfriend may have other ideas.

There are gaps appearing in the management of CCHQ. If it carries on like this Steve Hilton may actually have to go into the Victoria Street office personally.
*Dan favours Paul Smith suits, Diesel jeans, Kurt Geiger shoes and Hugo Boss glasses according to Guido’s fashion correspondent. N.B. those pictures are really of Dan.