STARMER LOSES TOP CIVIL SERVANT IN HIS ADMIN
Note: no much in the media so a.i leo from brave below. image included.
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Sir Chris Wormald has resigned as the UK's top civil servant and Cabinet Secretary, with his departure confirmed on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The Cabinet Office stated the decision was made "by mutual agreement" with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, though several reports suggest Wormald was effectively pushed out amid a growing political crisis.
His resignation follows the recent exits of Starmer’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney and Communications Director Tim Allan, marking the third high-level departure in under a week. The upheaval stems from the fallout over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, revealed in newly released Epstein files.
Wormald, who had served as civil servant for over 35 years and held the top role for just 14 months, is the shortest-serving Cabinet Secretary in history. In his farewell statement, he expressed pride in his service and thanked colleagues across government.
In the interim, his duties will be shared by Catherine Little, James Bowler, and Dame Antonia Romeo, with a permanent replacement expected to be named shortly. Dame Antonia Romeo is widely seen as the frontrunner, potentially becoming the UK’s first female Cabinet Secretary.
The crisis has intensified scrutiny on Starmer’s leadership, with opposition figures like Kemi Badenoch accusing him of "throwing people under the bus" to save his premiership.
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Sir Chris Wormald has stepped down as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service on February 12, 2026, after just 14 months in the role. His departure was announced as a "mutual agreement" between him and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, though reports indicate it followed months of negative media scrutiny and internal dissatisfaction with his performance. Wormald, who joined the Civil Service in 1991, served as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care before being appointed to the top civil service role in December 2024.
His resignation makes him the shortest-serving Cabinet Secretary in history. The role is now being shared temporarily by three senior officials: Catherine Little (Cabinet Office), James Bowler (Treasury), and Dame Antonia Romeo (Home Office), with the latter widely seen as the likely permanent successor.
Wormald expressed gratitude for his 35-year public service career, praising the dedication of civil servants, while Starmer acknowledged his long-standing service and support. The move comes amid a broader leadership shake-up at Downing Street, with multiple senior figures departing in recent days.