In a significant development within the UK government, a former senior civil servant has called upon Number 10 to conduct "more due diligence" as it prepares for the transition from cabinet secretary Chris Wormald to his likely successor, Antonia Romeo. Sir Simon McDonald, who previously served as the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, stressed the necessity for a comprehensive evaluation process to ensure the prime minister takes careful steps in filling this crucial position.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, McDonald expressed his concerns, stating, "The due diligence must be meticulous. If the individual mentioned in the press is indeed the candidate, I believe there remains a considerable amount of due diligence yet to be completed."
Earlier in the day, it was anticipated that No 10 would officially announce Wormald's departure after just one year in the role. However, the announcement was postponed, raising questions about the timeline and the new appointment. Sources within the government indicated that the new cabinet secretary would not be named immediately, and the responsibilities would temporarily be divided among officials acting in that capacity. Notably, despite speculation surrounding Romeo, her appointment is not guaranteed, even though she had been identified as a suitable candidate a year prior.
Romeo, currently the permanent secretary at the Home Office, has emerged as the leading contender for Wormald's position. She was shortlisted during the previous selection round, competing alongside other candidates such as Tamara Finkelstein, who has since exited the civil service, and Olly Robbins from the Foreign Office, who previously held a key position when Peter Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador.
Recognized for her dynamic approach, Romeo contrasts sharply with Wormald, whose exit appears driven by doubts regarding his capability to spearhead necessary reforms within Whitehall. She garnered respect in the civil service for her candid admonition to Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, regarding his bullying behavior toward staff, earning praise from figures such as Shabana Mahmood at the Home Office.
Despite her qualifications, Romeo's tenure as consul general in New York in 2017 has raised some eyebrows due to concerns about her spending practices. While working under McDonald at the Foreign Office, she faced scrutiny, though a subsequent investigation by the Cabinet Office found no evidence of misconduct.
When asked about these allegations during the broadcast, McDonald expressed his desire to address them through No 10's vetting procedures. In response to the criticisms, a government representative firmly stated, "There is absolutely no basis for this criticism. Antonia Romeo is a highly esteemed permanent secretary with a 25-year track record of exemplary public service. The claims stem from a single grievance raised by a former employee, which have all been dismissed due to lack of merit."
As for the Cabinet Office, a spokesperson refrained from commenting on the rumors surrounding Wormald's exit or the potential promotion of Romeo to cabinet secretary, leaving many observers to wonder what the future holds for this pivotal role in the UK government.
