Sir Chris Wormald, the UK's Cabinet Secretary, has resigned amid Keir Starmer's Downing Street reshuffle and controversy surrounding recent appointments.

In his farewell, Wormald expressed gratitude for 35 years of public service, thanked colleagues and advisers, and reflected on his privilege leading the civil service.

His departure makes him the third senior adviser to quit in a week, following the Chief of Staff and the Communications Director.

Dame Antonia Romeo is the government’s preferred successor, potentially becoming the first female head of the Civil Service, though critics urge a full independent due diligence process.

Vetting and due diligence concerns persist in the appointment process, with warnings from former mandarins about starting from scratch and avoiding past errors.

Questions linger about governance, accountability, and the pace of civil service reform amid political controversy.

The government is signaling reforms to vetting processes following concerns linked to high-profile appointments and potential delays until disclosures are resolved.

Cabinet Office said allegations against Dame Antonia Romeo were dismissed for lack of a case, though some sources allege the Foreign Office did not dismiss them.

Reactions included criticism from No 10 and concerns from the FDA union about the handling of the departure and potential chilling effects on civil service morale.

Conservative figure Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of undermining senior officials, while Labour critics argue the government mishandled governance.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet Office stress a formal, rigorous appointment process overseen by the First Civil Service Commissioner and with input from Baroness Stuart.

Past scrutiny of Dame Antonia Romeo includes a 2017 expenses inquiry in New York, from which she was cleared, and her previous senior roles at the International Trade, Justice, and Home Office before this interim period.