Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Kemi Badenoch has formally requested the First Civil Service Commissioner to hold off on the dismissal of Sir Chris Wormald, the current cabinet secretary, until after the disclosure of documents concerning Lord Mandelson. Sir Chris, who was appointed cabinet secretary by the prime minister in December 2024, is reportedly in discussions about his departure and a potential exit arrangement. The government is considering Dame Antonia Romeo, the leading civil servant at the Home Office, as his preferred successor. Notably, Dame Antonia was among the four candidates shortlisted when Sir Chris secured the role.
Cabinet Office minister Chris Ward has indicated that the process of making public the requested documents is underway and will proceed independently of the cabinet secretary’s situation. Addressing the House of Commons, Ward assured MPs that the papers related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador would be released promptly once Parliament resumes on 23 February. Badenoch’s letter emphasizes that since Sir Chris is currently overseeing the release of these crucial documents demanded by Parliament, replacing him before the process concludes would be unwise. She also criticized the prime minister’s approach, stating Sir Chris is “the latest person to be thrown under a bus” and advocates for a comprehensive new procedure to select the next cabinet secretary.
The First Civil Service Commissioner, Baroness Stuart, a former Labour MP and Brexit campaigner, oversees such appointments. Badenoch’s letter further references comments made by Lord McDonald, former head of the Foreign Office, during a Channel 4 News interview. Lord McDonald questioned the readiness of Dame Antonia’s appointment, suggesting that “the due diligence has some way still to go.” His remarks have been viewed within government circles as alluding to a past investigation into Dame Antonia’s spending as the government’s consul-general in New York in 2017. A cabinet office spokesperson responded firmly, defending her reputation and clarifying that the allegations stemmed from an outdated grievance dismissed with no case to answer.
If appointed, Dame Antonia Romeo would become the first woman to hold the post of head of the Civil Service. This potential nomination comes amid criticism of Downing Street’s leadership culture, with figures like Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy highlighting a “boys’ club” atmosphere and calling for greater representation of women in senior roles. Sir Chris Wormald, who has held the position for just over a year, is on track to be the shortest-serving cabinet secretary in history. His appointment was originally accompanied by a mandate to completely overhaul the British state machinery for long-term reform. However, questions had been raised about his suitability for such an ambitious task, especially as reports emerged of dissatisfaction within Downing Street regarding his performance. Additionally, Sir Chris bore ultimate responsibility for the vetting process prior to Lord Mandelson’s controversial appointment, despite assuming the role days before the announcement. His imminent departure follows a series of high-profile resignations within the prime minister’s team, including his chief of staff and director of communications, as efforts continue to renew the government’s leadership after the Mandelson controversy
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.