Britain’s most senior civil servant is making ready to give up subsequent 12 months after overseeing a transition to a Labour authorities, it has emerged.
Simon Case, whose spell in control of Whitehall has been dogged by the Partygate scandal, will reportedly stand down as cupboard secretary and head of the civil service in January 2025.
In line with the Sunday Instances, Sir Oliver ‘Olly’ Robbins – who drafted Theresa Might’s disastrous Brexit deal – has been lined up as a possible substitute.
The newspaper reported that Sue Grey, Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of employees, has held secret talks with Sir Oliver about returning to a prime position in Whitehall.
Mr Case has been the UK’s most senior official since September 2020, when he changed Sir Mark Sedwill as cupboard secretary and head of the civil service.
Simon Case, whose spell in control of Whitehall has been dogged by the Partygate scandal, will reportedly stand down as cupboard secretary and head of the civil service in January 2025
Sir Oliver ‘Olly’ Robbins – who drafted Theresa Might ‘s disastrous Brexit deal – has been lined up as a possible substitute
The 45-year-old, a former GCHQ boss and prime aide to Prince William, returned to work initially of this 12 months after taking depart as a consequence of a ‘non-public medical matter’.
This meant he missed a scheduled look in entrance of the Covid Inquiry, though he belatedly gave proof to the pandemic probe final month.
In line with the report, Mr Case continues to be working from dwelling no less than two days every week in his £200,000-a-year position – however insiders harassed he’s taking calls and totally engaged when not bodily current in Whitehall.
He’s anticipated to give up within the New Yr after overseeing the switch of energy from the Tories to Labour, if Sir Keir wins the overall election on 4 July.
Ms Grey, who oversaw the Partygate report into lockdown events throughout Whitehall earlier than becoming a member of Sir Keir’s crew, is alleged to have held casual talks with Sir Oliver about changing Mr Case.
He’s mentioned to be in competition for the position of cupboard secretary or Downing Avenue everlasting secretary, which has been unoccupied for 2 years.
Any return for Sir Oliver to a senior Whitehall job would probably anger Tory Brexiteers as a consequence of his previous position because the architect of Mrs Might’s Brexit deal.
The previous PM’s settlement, negotiated by Sir Oliver with the EU, was rejected thrice by the Home of Commons earlier than her downfall as PM.
Sir Oliver is at present working at Hakluyt, a Mayfair-based strategic advisory agency, having beforehand labored for Goldman Sachs after leaving the civil service in 2019.
