Antonia Romeo's Appointment as Cabinet Secretary Sparks Controversy Over Past Complaints
Keir Starmer's decision to appoint Antonia Romeo as the country's most senior civil servant has prompted significant dismay among former colleagues who previously complained about what they considered bullying behaviour during her tenure as a diplomat in New York. The appointment, which makes Romeo the first ever female cabinet secretary, has reignited concerns about leadership judgment and due diligence in government appointments.
Historical Allegations Resurface
Several individuals who worked with Romeo at the New York consulate nearly a decade ago have expressed their upset over the prime minister's decision to elevate her to cabinet secretary despite their previous complaints. The allegations from multiple colleagues were consolidated into one formal complaint against Romeo in 2017. That complaint was investigated by a senior diplomat who found that she had a case to answer regarding her management style, but was subsequently dismissed by her line managers at the Cabinet Office, who gave her the all clear.
The complaint has resurfaced in recent days after Simon McDonald, the former lead civil servant at the Foreign Office, urged the prime minister to conduct more thorough due diligence before finalising his decision. Starmer nevertheless put aside those objections on Thursday when he confirmed Romeo's appointment, marking a historic moment for gender representation in the civil service.
Voices of Concern
One former complainant stated: "It is pretty extraordinary but not exactly out of character for the current No 10. It is just another example of poor judgment, and the elevation of those with questionable integrity despite the concerns raised by ordinary people."
Another added: "There is a real risk this comes back to bite the prime minister. The many people she bullied and intimidated, most of them women, will now feel failed for a second time. It's not a good look for the civil service or the government."
A third complainant remarked: "Taking shortcuts to make appointments based on special treatment instead of merit and due diligence has already created chaos. This is an indication that problematic leadership decisions will persist."
Government Defence and Support
Government sources have insisted that the allegations against Romeo should not be counted against her, given they are ten years old and were dismissed at the time by the Cabinet Office. Starmer defended his decision on Friday, calling Romeo "an outstanding public servant, with a 25-year record of delivering for the British people."
He further elaborated: "Antonia has shown she is the right person to drive the government to reform and I look forward to working with her to deliver this period of national renewal."
Romeo herself expressed that it was a "huge privilege" to become the head of the civil service. She stated: "The civil service is a great and remarkable institution, which I love. We should be known for delivery, efficiency and innovation, working to implement the government's agenda and meet the challenges the country faces."
Divergent Perspectives on Leadership
Romeo's supporters describe her as dynamic and willing to break civil service conventions to achieve the government's goals. However, her critics argue that she is more focused on promoting herself than the government she works for, and that her impatience with more junior staff has sometimes tipped over into bullying.
According to the 2017 complaint, Romeo told several colleagues she would end or damage their careers after disagreements in the normal course of work. One specific allegation claims that Romeo warned a junior member of staff that refusing to comply with a particular request was a "career-limiting move" and "would only happen once."
Another individual who disagreed with one of Romeo's ideas reported that Romeo told her she "would make sure [that person's] reputation and career in London suffered."
Financial Affairs and Investigation Details
Other allegations included in the complaint concerned her financial affairs. These included her decision to secure over $100,000 (£74,000) worth of paint from Farrow & Ball to redecorate her residence in exchange for free publicity, as well as a $250 (£186) expense claim for a taxi to a football match.
The allegations, which were part of one comprehensive complaint, were all investigated at the time by Tim Hitchens, a former ambassador to Japan, who was flown in to conduct a week-long review. Hitchens found that she had a case to answer on her management style, but not on her financial affairs. However, his finding was overturned by the Cabinet Office, which concluded she had no case to answer.
Recent Developments and Official Stance
Three complainants from that period have contacted the Cabinet Office in recent weeks to raise concerns about her previous behaviour. Downing Street insisted on Thursday that full vetting had taken place on a previous occasion when she was considered for the job. No 10 stated it had consulted the civil service commissioner, Gisela Stuart, who indicated that the full process did not need to be re-run.
This appointment continues to highlight the ongoing tensions between promoting experienced individuals and addressing historical complaints within the civil service framework.
