Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald Set to Depart as Starmer's Leadership Crisis Deepens
Sir Chris Wormald, the Cabinet Secretary, is poised to become the latest high-profile resignation from Downing Street as Prime Minister Keir Starmer grapples with the escalating fallout from the Mandelson scandal. This development signals a deepening crisis within the government, with the Prime Minister struggling to maintain his grip on power amidst a wave of departures from his inner circle.
Exodus from Downing Street Intensifies
The expected departure of Sir Chris follows the recent resignations of Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister's chief of staff, and Tim Allan, the communications director, both of whom left their positions within the past two days. This rapid succession of exits has created a sense of instability at the heart of government, raising serious questions about Sir Keir's ability to lead effectively during this turbulent period.
Furthermore, there are ongoing inquiries regarding the role of national security chief Jonathan Powell, who is alleged to have encouraged Sir Keir to appoint Lord Mandelson as the US ambassador. This appointment has since become a central element of the scandal engulfing the Prime Minister's administration.
Antonia Romeo Tipped as Successor Amid Controversy
In a surprising twist, Home Office mandarin Antonia Romeo is now being strongly tipped as the next head of the civil service. This comes barely a year after her previous application for the role was reportedly snubbed by Sir Keir. Dame Antonia's potential appointment is seen as a dramatic reversal, highlighting the shifting dynamics within Whitehall.
Sir Keir is said to have been particularly impressed by Dame Antonia's handling of the small boats crisis during her tenure at the Home Office. However, Westminster insiders suggest that she would not apply for the position again through a formal process. Instead, she would only accept the role if it were offered to her directly, without undergoing another competitive application. The final decision on whether a new recruitment process is necessary would rest with the Civil Service Commission.
Criticism and Tensions Surround Sir Chris's Brief Tenure
Sir Chris Wormald was only appointed as Cabinet Secretary in December 2024, with Sir Keir initially lavishing praise on him as the ideal candidate to 'drive' transformative change within the government. At the time of his appointment, the Prime Minister stated, 'Delivering this scale of change will require exceptional civil service leadership. There could be no-one better placed to drive forward our Plan For Change than Chris, and I look forward to working with him as we fulfil the mandate of this new government.'
Despite these optimistic beginnings, persistent rumours have emerged of significant tensions between Sir Chris and Number 10. Briefings apparently originating from Downing Street have suggested that Sir Chris has been obstructing or delaying key government reforms. If he resigns, Sir Chris could become one of the shortest-serving Cabinet Secretaries in recent history.
Additionally, Sir Chris has faced criticism from former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who accused him of failing to conduct an adequate investigation into the correspondence between Lord Mandelson, a key architect of New Labour, and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. This has further fueled concerns about the Whitehall vetting process, with the government having previously committed to publishing a wide array of related documents.
Profile: Antonia Romeo – A Glamorous High-Flyer with a Controversial Past
Dame Antonia Romeo is a prominent Civil Service high-flyer known for her dynamic career and connections. During her time as Consul General in New York, where she promoted British interests and UK trade, she hosted a series of glamorous parties for celebrity figures, including fashion designer Calvin Klein, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, actress Joanna Lumley, and the now-disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.
However, her tenure in New York was marred by controversy. In 2017, she faced allegations of bullying staff and misusing expenses. The Oxford graduate was accused of 'terrorising' employees who criticised her extravagant lifestyle and reportedly lavish spending. Specific allegations included:
- Over £120,000 in unauthorised fees for her three children's attendance at an upmarket New York school.
- Excessive use of expensive taxis and more than a dozen flights, some in business class.
- A last-minute flight to London in February 2017 to attend the BAFTA awards, where she mingled with entertainment industry stars.
- Costly bouquets of flowers sent to British celebrities, such as Victoria Beckham.
While her allies defended the spending as necessary for promoting the UK, some former colleagues believed she was more focused on building her personal brand than advancing national interests. The Cabinet Office subsequently investigated these allegations and found no case to answer, promoting her to Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Trade shortly thereafter. In a statement last year, the Cabinet Office confirmed, 'These allegations were made some time ago, were thoroughly investigated and were dismissed on the basis there was no case to answer.'
In 2020, Dame Antonia was considered a frontrunner for the role of Cabinet Secretary but ultimately lost out to Simon Case, a former aide to Prince William. Her potential appointment now represents a significant comeback, underscoring the volatile nature of the current political landscape.
Downing Street has so far refused to comment on whether Sir Chris Wormald is being replaced by Dame Antonia Romeo, leaving the future of the civil service leadership in a state of uncertainty as the government contends with one of its most severe crises to date.
