Starmer latest: UK’s top civil servant Chris Wormald to stand down in another change at No 10

No 10 earlier declined to “comment on speculation” when asked about rumours that Dame Antonia Romeo, the Home Office permanent secretary, will take over the Whitehall reins.

Dame Antonia has been announced as one of three interim replacements for Sir Chris Wormald, performing the role jointly with Cabinet Office permanent secretary Cat Little and Treasury permanent secretary James Bowler.

The Cabinet Office said Sir Keir Starmer was expected to appoint a new cabinet secretary “shortly”.

Dame Antonia Romeo, who is widely tipped to be in line for Sir Chris Wormald’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 would take over the duties following the departure of Sir Chris on Thursday.

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.

David Maddox, political editor, reports:

It is only a little over a year since Sir Keir Starmer appointed Sir Christopher Wormald to the most senior position in Whitehall as cabinet secretary to run the civil service. And yet just 13 months later he is giving the 57-year-old mandarin his marching orders dressed up as “leaving by mutual agreement”.

This latest departure from Downing Street is yet another sign of a Labour government in complete chaos led by a man - the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer - who seems incapable of choosing the right people for senior jobs.

As a result of Wormald going there is currently no cabinet secretary, chief of staff or director of communications in Downing Street. This is a government bereft of leadership.In fact in 19 months as prime minister Sir Keir has gone through two cabinet secretaries (he did not like the one he inherited Simon Case), two chiefs of staff (with the departures of Sue Gray and Morgan McSweeney) and four directors of communication.

Added to that his judgement over appointments is in question over picking Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite knowing he had an ongoing relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

And also promoting his first director of communications Matthew Doyle to the Lords despite knowing he had campaigned for a now convicted paedophile after charges were brought.

The prime minister is not in the clear by any means from the threat of a Labour Party coup and if he is to somehow survive he needs to start making better senior appointments and end the chaos.

Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch has accused the Prime Minister of throwing staff under the bus as Sir Chris Wormold stands down from his role as Cabinet Secretary.

She said: “The Cabinet Secretary is the latest person Keir Starmer has thrown under the bus to save his own skin….”

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he’s come to a mutual decision with Sir Chris Wormald that he would go.

Sir Chris was widely expected to be on his way out as the UK’s top civil servant as the Prime Minister seeks to reset his Downing Street operation after controversies surrounding the appointments of Lord Peter Mandelson and Lord Matthew Doyle despite their association with sex offenders.

Sir Keir said: “I am very grateful to Sir Chris for his long and distinguished career of public service, spanning more than 35 years, and for the support that he has given me over the past year.

“I have agreed with him that he will step down as Cabinet Secretary today.

“I wish him the very best for the future.”

Sir Chris Wormald will stand down as the UK’s top civil servant and head of the Civil Service, the Cabinet Office has announced.

Reform UK’s candidate in an upcoming by-election has called for women and young girls to be given a “biological reality” check, as he gave his views on how Britain should tackle its impending “fertility crisis”.

Days after The Independent revealed that Matt Goodwin previously suggested people who don’t have children should be taxed extra as punishment, an unearthed clip posted to his personal YouTube channel in November 2024 has shown the former academic warning that “many women in Britain are having children much too late in life”.

In the video, Mr Goodwin - who is standing for Reform UK in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election - argued: “We need to explain and educate to young children, the next generation the severity of this crisis.

“We need to also explain to young girls and women the biological reality of this crisis. Many women in Britain are having children much too late in life and they would prefer to have children much earlier on.”

Read the full exclusive from Millie Cooke

The club said: “Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.

“Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home. Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.

“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League's Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.

“Over the course of this season, we have participated in events and initiatives at our men's and women's games marking mental health, LGBTQ+ inclusion, No Room for Racism, violence against women and girls and homophobic chanting.

“We have also celebrated our supporters' clubs' events, including our Disabled Supporters' Association's Christmas Party and our Jewish Supporters' Club's Chanukah event.

“In the weeks and months ahead, we will be supporting further initiatives in these areas.

“This all sits alongside the incredible work which the Manchester United Foundation undertakes in and around Manchester on a daily basis.Manchester United reflects the unity and resilience of all the communities we are so privileged to represent. We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.”