Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Holly Evans

FOUND: Why starmer faces one of worst crises between ministers and senior civil servants - What They Never Told You

  • A former cabinet secretary has warned that the Prime Minister is facing one of the "worst crises in relations between ministers and mandarins of modern times".
  • Gus O’Donnell stated that the dismissal of Sir Olly Robbins, the former Foreign Office head, risks a "serious and sustained chilling effect" on serving civil servants.
  • Sir Olly was sacked after it emerged he failed to inform Sir Keir Starmer that Lord Peter Mandelson had not passed vetting for his role as US ambassador.
  • Mandarins are defined as high-ranking senior civil servants who assist ministers in shaping policy.
  • Mr O’Donnell urged Sir Keir and the new cabinet secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, to make rebuilding the relationship with civil service heads a top priority.

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.