The nation’s most senior civil servant has a routine of drawing in the incorrect sort of headings. Could his time as Cabinet Secretary be waning?
Cabinet secretaries are the most effective civil servants in Whitehall. They are likewise – typically – relatively confidential figures, wielding power behind the scenes by making sure policies formed by the federal government of the day are carried out.
But Simon Case is various. From partygate to Boris Johnson’s secret credit center, he has actually remained in the headings like no other cabinet secretary. And numerous in Westminster argue that he’s now on obtained time.
Case was designated as head of the civil service by Boris Johnson in September 2020. Sources state Johnson’s questionable chief of staff, Dominic Cummings, had actually allocated Case for the function due to the fact that he was “pliable”.
He had actually operated in Whitehall in the past, however never ever run a department, and had actually likewise been personal secretary to Prince William – a reality which those who understand him state is main to comprehending the “courtier” function he has actually embraced in Downing Street.
He is likewise the youngest individual to ever use up the function.
This obvious malleability is – maybe – the source of numerous issues:
- Case was designated to examine claims of numerous lockdown-breaching celebrations, however needed to recuse himself after it emerged that celebrations had actually happened in his workplace. The job passed to Sue Gray, another senior civil servant, whose report blamed failures of (unnamed) management.
- Johnson, who is waiting for the result of a parliamentary probe into whether he deceived MPs, insists he was recommended that assistance was followed at all times, however Case has actually rejected offering such recommendations.
- Case was likewise linked in the £800,000 loan guarantee provided by Johnson’s remote cousin Sam Blyth. Richard Sharp says he linked Blyth to Case and informed Case he was recusing himself from additional participation. Case says he can’t remember this discussion.
Now Case is involved in another row. This time it’s about the female who took control of that partygate examination.
According to The Times, Case has actually been “instrumental” in attempting to obstruct Sue Gray from taking a function as chief of staff for Labour leader Keir Starmer. There are likewise reports that Gray just stopped the civil service after Case obstructed her from being promoted.
As Tortoise has actually reported, Case is now frozen out of essential conferences by Rishi Sunak. But he stays in his function.
If he isn’t rejected quickly, Case might serve as an additional drag on the prime minister who promised to put responsibility, professionalism and stability at the heart of his federal government.
