Sir Chris Wormald has stood down as the UK’s top civil servant and head of the civil service, the government has announced, as the prime minister seeks to conduct a reset of his ailing Downing Street operation.
Sir Chris’s departure – which the Cabinet Office said was by “mutual agreement” – comes just days after the resignations of Sir Keir’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications chief Tim Allan.
The prime minister said he was “grateful” for Sir Chris’s “long and distinguished career of public service” and his “support” as Cabinet secretary.
Sir Keir Starmer added: “I have agreed with him that he will step down as Cabinet Secretary today. I wish him the very best for the future.”
Meanwhile, Sir Chris said it had been “an honour and a privilege to serve as a civil servant for the past 35 years, and a particular distinction to lead the service as Cabinet secretary”.
“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to the extraordinary civil servants, public servants, ministers, and advisers I have worked with.
“Our country is fortunate to have such dedicated individuals devoted to public service, and I wish them every success for the future.”
The prime minister will appoint a new Cabinet secretary “shortly” and the appointment process will be agreed by the first civil service commissioner, the Cabinet Office said on Thursday.
Dame Antonia Romeo, who is widely tipped to be in line for Sir Chris’s former job, Catherine Little and James Bowler will share the responsibilities of Cabinet secretary for an interim period.
The permanent secretary at the Home Office, permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, and permanent secretary at the Treasury will take over the duties following the departure of Sir Chris on Thursday.
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