The rules relating to party funding are under review and there will almost certainly be changes to limit the influence of big donors and donations.

Some saw it as a ministerial ploy to limit the influence of single-service chiefs by imposing a technocrat, a 'boffin' with presumed 'purple' central staff attitudes upon them.

The author, an unnamed official, said there was a 'resistance' movement at the top of government to counter the president's instincts and to limit his influence on policy.

He played on some of the best players in the competition and often managed to severely limit their influence.

The organisation was able to limit the influence of national states and create a de facto world government.