Senior Whitehall officers point out that Dame Antonia Romeo emerges because the main candidate for Cupboard Secretary attributable to her alignment with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to tightly management the discharge of personal messages linked to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
Context of the Mandelson Investigation
MPs compelled the federal government to reveal these paperwork following the launch of a legal probe into allegations that Mandelson shared delicate data with Jeffrey Epstein. Officers specific concern that the messages may expose Mandelson’s important affect throughout the authorities.
Sacking of Sir Chris Wormald
The dismissal of outgoing Cupboard Secretary Sir Chris Wormald stems from his perceived overly permissive method to figuring out which recordsdata to launch. A senior Whitehall official famous: “A part of the response to Chris’s elimination arises from beliefs that No. 10 seeks to dam the recordsdata’ disclosure.”
One other supply added: “The doc launch faces strict oversight. The Prime Minister believes he can climate scrutiny by withholding probably the most damaging supplies, a job Dame Antonia Romeo would fulfill.”
Response to Well being Secretary’s Disclosure
No. 10 officers reacted strongly when Well being Secretary Wes Streeting launched his personal exchanges with Mandelson. In these messages, Streeting remarked that he feels “toast” forward of the subsequent election and highlighted an absence of financial progress technique.
A Whitehall supply defined: “Streeting disrupted their disclosure limits. They intention to limit releases to recordsdata instantly tied to Mandelson’s appointment, excluding his broader authorities position.”
A minister commented: “A serious controversy and cover-up accusations loom, however leaders view that as preferable to paperwork that might show devastating.”
Requires Transparency
Tory Cupboard Workplace spokesman Alex Burghart urged: “Starmer should instantly ship the total, unredacted materials to the intelligence and safety committee.”
A Cupboard Workplace spokesman responded: “Antonia Romeo boasts an exemplary 25-year file in public service. The brand new Cupboard Secretary appointment course of will observe protocols set by the First Civil Service Commissioner.”
