(Adds more comment)By Elizabeth PiperLONDON, July 24 (Reuters) - Boris Johnson has appointedDominic Cummings, an architect of Britain's Brexit campaign, asa senior adviser, a move his team hopes will help deliver thenew leader's "do or die" pledge to leave the European Union byOct. 31.The appointment of Cummings, known for a combative stylethat charms and offends in equal measure, was lauded by someBrexit campaigners who said the 47-year-old provided the onlychance of shaking up government to force through Brexit.But pro-EU lawmakers criticised his return to the corridorsof power, with one calling it "an appalling error of judgment",and noting that Cummings had been found in contempt ofparliament earlier this year for failing to answer questions.Johnson, who will formally become prime minister later onWednesday, has just 99 days to tackle the Brexit crisis, whichhas stalled economic growth, brought down Prime Minister TheresaMay and left Britain deeply divided.A source in Johnson's team confirmed the appointment ofCummings, who worked with the incoming prime minister on VoteLeave, a campaign which was lauded by Brexit campaigners forbeating a much better financed campaign to stay in the EU with asimple message that Britain should "take back control".He was played by British actor Benedict Cumberbatch in atelevised drama, which burnished his credentials as anaggressive campaigner willing to challenge traditional thinkingand use data to persuade voters to back Brexit.Since the 2016 referendum, Cummings, a former aide toJohnson's rival for prime minister, Michael Gove, has kept a lowprofile, criticising May's Brexit strategy and the actions ofsome hardline eurosceptics from the sidelines."I'm happier about this (appointment) than Boris winning.I'm happier than if I was going into Downing Street," oneveteran Conservative and Brexit supporter said, describingCummings as a man who "won't go tame" in the face of pressurefrom Britain's civil service of permanent officials.Many Brexit supporters have accused May's government ofbeing railroaded by civil servants into adopting a failedstrategy on Britain's departure from the EU and have long hopedfor a new leader to change tack - a role now handed to Cummings.At the time of the referendum, a fellow campaigner saidCummings "uses Soviet propaganda techniques" and ran a focusedcampaign, sticking to two messages - that leaving the EU wouldhand 350 million pounds ($437 million) a week to the publichealth service and that Turkey could join the bloc.He was found to be in contempt of parliament earlier thisyear for failing to appear before lawmakers investigating "fakenews" and the referendum. He said he had offered to appear andgive evidence.Sarah Wollaston, a former Conservative lawmaker who left theparty over Brexit, said before the appointment was confirmed:"If true, (it) would be an appalling error of judgment toappoint someone who has been in contempt of parliament.""Very rare for this to happen and would be shameful to berewarded by PM with such a high profile role." ($1 = 0.8001 pounds) (Reporting by Elizabeth PiperEditing by Kate Holton/Guy Faulconbridge/Peter Graff)
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