Starmer Accused of Sacrificing Top Aide Amid Deepening Government Turmoil
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was accused on Thursday night of throwing another key member of his senior team under the bus to protect his own political position. As the turmoil within his faltering administration intensified, Sir Keir forced out Sir Chris Wormald barely a year after appointing him as the head of Britain's civil service.
Chaotic Leadership and Mounting Resignations
This dramatic move followed an extraordinary farce in which Downing Street refused to clarify who actually held the crucial Cabinet Secretary position. In a clear sign of the disarray gripping Number 10, the role was subsequently split between three temporary office holders overnight.
This development means that within less than a week, Sir Keir has lost three of the most senior figures he personally appointed. This follows the resignations of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney on Sunday and Director of Communications Tim Allan the very next day.
Mr McSweeney's departure led to his replacement by two temporary chiefs of staff, further inflating the number of decision-makers and adding to the confusion about who is actually running the government. The Prime Minister now faces escalating questions about who is in charge of his administration, which has been plunged into disarray by the ongoing Mandelson scandal.
The Cabinet Secretary's Sudden Departure
Ironically, just last week Sir Chris Wormald was entrusted with the key responsibility of overseeing the publication of documents related to the appointment of the disgraced New Labour grandee as US ambassador. His sudden removal has therefore raised significant eyebrows across Westminster.
It was announced that for an 'interim period' his duties would be shared between the heads of three major Whitehall departments: Cat Little from the Cabinet Office, James Bowler from the Treasury, and Dame Antonia from the Home Office.
Historical Parallels and Political Criticism
The phrase 'who is in charge of the clattering train?' has gained renewed relevance, recalling Winston Churchill's use of Edwin James Milliken's 1890 poem during parliamentary debates about Nazi Germany. The poem describes a fatal train crash caused by inattentive crew, and the phrase has come to symbolise situations spiralling out of control – a fitting metaphor for the current government crisis.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch was scathing in her assessment: 'The Cabinet Secretary is the latest person Keir Starmer has thrown under the bus to save his own skin. To add insult to injury, he has signed off a £250,000 payment that looks like hush money, courtesy of the taxpayer.'
She continued: 'Once again, the Prime Minister's judgment is found wanting. For a man who has played holier than thou all his life, this latest series of blunders shows someone who is, at best, unsuited to the role or, at worst, morally bankrupt.'
Controversial Appointments and Internal Discord
Sir Keir appointed Sir Chris to lead the civil service in December 2024, despite warnings that he might lack the necessary boldness for reform. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister himself faces criticism for apparently prioritising dress codes over substantive governance, with reports that he and Attorney General Lord Hermer attended Number 10 meetings in 'jackets with polo shirts.'
A senior figure told The Spectator: 'It's the weirdest thing... You'd get a note the night before telling everyone to make sure they're wearing smart casual.'
For several days, neither the Cabinet Office nor Number 10 would confirm whether the country's top civil servant remained in post. Finally, late yesterday afternoon, the government announced Sir Chris would stand down 'by mutual agreement.'
Succession Controversy and Allegations
The government stated that a permanent replacement for Sir Chris would be appointed 'shortly,' but Sir Keir is already under significant pressure not to award the position to interim holder Dame Antonia – nicknamed the 'Queen of Woke.'
As previously revealed, she was investigated for bullying and misusing expenses during her tenure as Consul General in New York, though she was subsequently cleared of all allegations.
Former Foreign Office chief Lord McDonald of Salford disclosed that he had contacted Number 10 to caution against appointing Dame Antonia without a proper recruitment process. He told Channel 4 News: 'In my view, the due diligence has some way still to go.'
A government source countered: 'There is absolutely no basis for this criticism. The allegations all originate from a single grievance made some time ago by a former employee. All were dismissed.'
Sir Chris is expected to receive a payoff exceeding £250,000 after thirty-five years of Whitehall service, alongside a substantial £2.5 million pension pot awaiting him upon retirement. The Prime Minister also finds himself embroiled in a bitter dispute over who will secure the £220,000-per-year Cabinet Secretary position permanently, as his government struggles to regain control and credibility.
