Sir Keir Starmer has forced out cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald after just over a year in the role, with Antonia Romeo expected to become the first woman to hold the post. The prime minister announced Wormald's departure 'by mutual consent' on Thursday, following months of briefing from within No 10 that Starmer's operation was not convinced he was right for the job.
The move drew sharp criticism from senior civil servants, with one describing the mood as 'sulphurous' over the brutality of the decision. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of throwing Wormald 'under the bus to save his own skin'. The departure leaves Starmer with a severely depleted top team, following the exit of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications director Tim Allan earlier this week in the aftermath of the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Whitehall sources said Wormald lost Starmer's confidence over the process that led to Mandelson's approval as US ambassador, and for not being proactive enough in driving civil service reform. No 10 did not deny reports that Starmer had to overrule official objections to a £260,000 payout for Wormald through a formal 'ministerial direction', issued when officials cannot justify spending on grounds of value for money.
Romeo, currently permanent secretary at the Ministry of Justice, is seen as a dynamic official outside the traditional civil service mould. However, some Labour figures and former permanent secretary Simon McDonald cautioned against an expedited appointment process, urging thorough due diligence. Romeo previously faced questions about her spending as consul general in New York in 2017, but a Cabinet Office investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.
The Cabinet Office said a process to appoint Wormald's successor would now take place, with the role temporarily split between Romeo, Cat Little and James Bowler. One senior government insider warned: 'What a message this all gives to public servants... Keir Starmer says let's change things, let's be bold. But the moment it gets tough, you'll be out the door to save my skin.'
