Sir Simon McDonald, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office, has issued a stark warning to No 10, urging that "more due diligence" must be conducted as the government prepares to appoint a new cabinet secretary. This comes amid speculation that Antonia Romeo, the current permanent secretary at the Home Office, is the frontrunner to replace Chris Wormald, who is departing after just a year in the role.
McDonald's Call for Thorough Vetting Process
In an interview with Channel 4 News, Sir Simon McDonald emphasised the critical importance of a rigorous selection procedure. He stated that if Romeo is indeed the candidate under consideration, then "the due diligence has some way still to go." McDonald revealed that he had attempted to alert No 10 this week, advocating for the process to be restarted from scratch to ensure a thorough evaluation given the cabinet secretary's pivotal role in government operations.
Delayed Announcement and Interim Arrangements
No 10 had planned to confirm Wormald's departure earlier on Wednesday, but the announcement was unexpectedly postponed. Multiple government sources indicated that a new cabinet secretary would not be named simultaneously, with the responsibilities likely to be split among acting officials in the interim. These sources also clarified that it is not a "done deal" that Romeo will secure the position, despite her previous inclusion on the shortlist a year ago when she was deemed appointable.
Romeo's Profile and Controversies
Antonia Romeo is widely regarded as a dynamic figure within the civil service, contrasting with the more traditional approach of Chris Wormald, who is reportedly being ousted due to concerns over his ability to drive Whitehall reforms. Her tenure has been marked by notable support, including her warning to Dominic Raab over bullying behaviour, which bolstered her reputation among colleagues. She has also earned praise from Shabana Mahmood at the Home Office.
However, Romeo has faced scrutiny over her spending during her time as consul general in New York in 2017, a period when she worked under Sir Simon McDonald at the Foreign Office. A subsequent Cabinet Office investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing, but McDonald expressed a desire to discuss these matters further through No 10's vetting process.
Government Response and Defence
A government source robustly defended Romeo, stating, "There is absolutely no basis for this criticism. Antonia Romeo is a highly respected permanent secretary with a 25-year record of excellent public service. The allegations all come from a single grievance made some time ago by a former employee. All the allegations were dismissed on the basis there was no case to answer."
Other Candidates and Broader Context
The pool of potential candidates includes Tamara Finkelstein, who has since left the civil service, and Olly Robbins at the Foreign Office, who was leading the department during Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. This appointment process occurs against a backdrop of significant turnover, with Wormald potentially becoming the third key departure from No 10 in a short period.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson declined to comment on the speculation surrounding Wormald's exit and Romeo's possible promotion, maintaining a stance of non-engagement with rumours. As the selection unfolds, the emphasis on due diligence highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing reform ambitions with rigorous accountability within the upper echelons of the British civil service.
