Whitehall War Erupts Over Starmer's Plan to Sack Cabinet Secretary
A major Whitehall conflict has broken out over Prime Minister Keir Starmer's apparent intention to dismiss Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald and install Antonia Romeo in the crucial role. The controversy has escalated dramatically with former top diplomat Lord McDonald of Salford taking the highly unusual step of publicly warning Number 10 against proceeding with the move.
Extraordinary Timing and Due Diligence Concerns
Lord McDonald described it as 'extraordinary' that the Prime Minister was considering replacing Wormald just fourteen months after appointing him to the key position. The crossbench peer insisted Dame Antonia must not be parachuted into the post without a fresh vetting process, particularly given she was investigated for bullying allegations during her tenure as HM Consul General in New York a decade ago, though a probe ultimately found no wrongdoing.
In a pointed reference to the recent controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson's appointment as US Ambassador despite his links to Jeffrey Epstein, Lord McDonald told Channel 4 News: 'The Prime Minister has recent bitter experience of doing the due diligence too late. It would be an unnecessary tragedy to repeat that mistake.' He emphasized that 'This is the most important job in the civil service. It can't be chosen on the fly.'
Political Backlash and Government Response
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has formally written to the Civil Service Commission demanding full scrutiny of any application process. In her letter to First Commissioner Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston, Badenoch argued that 'Changing the Cabinet Secretary in the middle of this scandal – or more precisely forcing out the incumbent without any clear process – would be an extraordinary thing to do.' She urged the commission to formally advise the Prime Minister to conduct a full new appointment process.
Government sources delivered a stinging rebuke to Lord McDonald, accusing him of a 'desperate' attempt to block change after spending his career getting Britain into a 'mess'. One source defended Romeo, stating: '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.'
Another Government source told The Times: 'This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed. Antonia is a disrupter. She isn't settled with the status quo. She is one of the few senior officials that has always fought against the computer says no culture embedded in the British state.'
Wormald's Troubled Tenure and Potential Payoff
Sir Chris Wormald was appointed to the £220,000-a-year position in December 2024, with Sir Keir lavishing praise on him as 'exceptional' and the right option to 'drive' change. However, persistent rumours of tensions have emerged, with briefings apparently from Number 10 suggesting the top mandarin has been holding up reforms. Wormald has also faced criticism from Gordon Brown for allegedly failing to run an adequate investigation into the former Prime Minister's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein.
If dismissed, Sir Chris could receive a £250,000 payoff, potentially making him one of the shortest-serving Cabinet Secretaries in history. His predecessor, Simon Case, received a £200,000 severance deal when he was replaced.
Romeo's Controversial Background and Current Standing
Dame Antonia Romeo, currently Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, saw her previous application for the Cabinet Secretary role snubbed by Sir Keir in 2024. The Prime Minister is said to have been impressed by her handling of the small boats crisis at the Home Office. Westminster insiders suggest Romeo will not apply for the job again but would accept if offered the role without another competitive process.
During her time as Consul General in New York, where she promoted British interests and UK trade, Romeo hosted glitzy parties for celebrity figures including Calvin Klein, Anna Wintour, and the now-disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. She faced allegations of bullying staff and misusing expenses in 2017, including claims of:
- More than £120,000 in unauthorized school fees for her three children
- Expensive taxi expenditures
- Numerous flights, some business class
- A last-minute flight to attend the BAFTA awards
- Expensive bouquets sent to British celebrities including Victoria Beckham
The Cabinet Office investigation concluded there was no case to answer, and she was subsequently promoted to Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Trade.
Broader Political Implications
The chaotic wrangling raises fresh doubts about Sir Keir's judgment as he struggles to maintain political stability. The Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications director Tim Allan have already resigned in recent days. Continuing questions also surround national security chief Jonathan Powell, who reportedly encouraged Sir Keir to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.
Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Gove condemned the treatment of Wormald as 'a disgrace', stating: 'The PM chose Chris from a strong field and now this - it's many things but it's not leadership.' Downing Street has refused to comment on whether Sir Chris is being replaced by Dame Antonia, leaving the Civil Service Commission to decide whether a formal process is necessary and placing Sir Keir's decision on a knife edge.
