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Dame Antonia Romeo, widely regarded as the leading candidate for the role of cabinet secretary, was subject to an investigation stemming from a complaint during her tenure as the UK government’s consul-general in New York in 2017. The inquiry addressed three specific allegations related to her expense claims and behavior that was described as bullying. Ultimately, the investigation concluded with the finding that there was “no case to answer,” as communicated to Dame Antonia in a letter reviewed by BBC News.
Despite the investigation clearing her of wrongdoing, Dame Antonia reportedly engaged in difficult conversations regarding her management and leadership approach. A source close to the process acknowledged that some of her personal style had rubbed colleagues the wrong way but stressed that the probe was thorough and did not uphold any substantive claims. A Cabinet Office spokesperson reiterated that only one complaint had been raised and dismissed, praising her for a long-standing record of excellent public service.
The letter outlining the investigation’s outcome was written by Rupert McNeil, who at the time was the government’s chief people officer. McNeil acknowledged the challenging nature of such processes but highlighted the value of feedback on leadership style, noting Dame Antonia’s awareness and receptiveness to the insight gained. This communication was widely circulated among senior officials, including then-cabinet secretary Jeremy Heywood and ambassadors and HR directors across departments. Notably, Lord Simon McDonald, then head of the Foreign Office, recently expressed concerns that further due diligence was needed before any appointment, a stance that sparked strong rebuttals from government insiders.
Supporters of Dame Antonia have responded forcefully to these criticisms, with some describing Lord McDonald’s remarks as “disgusting” and “hugely irresponsible.” Those familiar with her leadership emphasize her inspirational qualities and the broad respect she commands across the civil service, pointing out that in the nine years since the investigation, she has managed multiple major government departments with large staffs without a single complaint. Sir Matthew Rycroft, UK Permanent Representative to the UN during the time of the complaint, confirmed having reviewed the documentation himself and agreed with the conclusion that no case was proven. Rupert McNeil also defended the integrity of the investigation and Dame Antonia’s public service record, denouncing recent attacks on her reputation as unjustified and damaging to the trust in civil service oversight processes
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