Dame Antonia Romeo's 'Strong White' Nickname and Controversial Rise to Cabinet Secretary
Dame Antonia Romeo, the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service, is known within the Foreign Office by the curious nickname 'Strong White'. This sobriquet does not refer to the Oxford-educated diplomat's coffee preferences or the strength of her ambitions, which have propelled the 51-year-old to the pinnacle of Whitehall. Instead, it originates from a controversial decision she made in 2016 when she became Britain's first female Consul-General in New York.
The Manhattan Apartment Refit and 'Strong White' Paint
Upon taking up her role in New York, Romeo ordered a £100,000 refit of her luxury grace-and-favour apartment in Manhattan. The lavish redecoration was initially vetoed by the Foreign Office on cost grounds, as the apartment had recently undergone a previous makeover. Undeterred, Romeo instructed staff to approach the fashionable British paint brand Farrow & Ball. The company provided free of charge sufficient quantities of its 'Strong White' paint, which retails at over £100 for a 2.5-litre tin. This gift helped reduce the cost of the refit to a more palatable £31,250, including £12,000 to ship 'government artwork' across the Atlantic. In gratitude, Romeo later hosted a taxpayer-funded drinks reception for Farrow & Ball at the £9 million residence.
Bullying Allegations and Vetting Concerns
Romeo's ascent has not been without controversy. During her tenure in New York, she was investigated following complaints about her conduct. A report initially found 'a serious case to answer', but the probe was later dropped by the Cabinet Office, with Romeo categorically denying the accusations. Sir Matthew Rycroft, who was UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations at the time, stated there was only one bullying complaint. However, a senior civil servant who worked with her disputed this, claiming multiple complaints were presented in a dossier, alleging she terrified some people, especially women, and was perceived as threatening.
Concerns over vetting were echoed by Sir Simon McDonald, former Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Office, who warned Downing Street that extensive due diligence is 'vitally important' for such appointments. He referenced the scandal involving Peter Mandelson, who was sacked as US ambassador due to links to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, urging against repeating such mistakes.
Expenses and 'Woke' Priorities
Further scrutiny has arisen over Romeo's expenses. It was revealed she repaid travel expenses worth tens of thousands of pounds after commuting from London to New York at taxpayers' expense, and she claimed thousands in private school fees for her children. In her new role, Romeo will sit alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Cabinet meetings, acting as the link between ministers and Whitehall to drive through government legislation.
Romeo has also attracted the nickname 'Queen of Woke' for her focus on fashionable causes. As Consul-General, she immersed herself in New York's social scene, with her apartment adorned with photos of celebrities like Meryl Streep and Michael Bloomberg. Later, as head of the Department for International Trade, she promoted issues such as 'Non-Binary Awareness Week' and 'Transgender Awareness Week', flying the trans flag from department buildings and encouraging staff to watch films like Seahorse, which tells the story of a trans man's path to parenthood.
Background and Support
Dame Antonia Rebecca Caroline Angharad Catherine Romeo, née Rice-Evans, was educated privately at North London Collegiate School and Westminster School, costing £33,000 a year. She studied politics, philosophy, and economics at Oxford, followed by economics at the London School of Economics. After a stint at Oliver Wyman, where she met her Italian husband John, she joined the civil service in 2000. Within six years, she became principal private secretary to Labour's Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, and moved to the Cabinet Office when David Cameron became Prime Minister in 2010.
Despite criticism, Romeo has supporters who praise her as 'fiercely clever, stylish, and utterly committed to her job'. She has been admired by former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, and was chosen by Liz Truss as Permanent Secretary to the Treasury in 2022, though the appointment never materialised. Starmer was reportedly warned about bullying allegations but was determined to appoint a female Cabinet Secretary.
Political Implications and Doubts
Many Labour MPs are concerned about Romeo's appointment, given the fallout from the Mandelson scandal and the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's former chief of staff. The timing of Romeo's appointment, coinciding with news of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's arrest, has raised questions about whether it was a strategic move to divert attention. As Romeo takes on her pivotal role, her legacy will be closely watched amid ongoing debates over her conduct and priorities in Whitehall.
