UK’s civil service chief Simon Case to stand down at end of year

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The UK's most senior civil servant is set to resign at the close of this year on health grounds. Cabinet Secretary Mr Case, presently receiving treatment for a neurological condition, told in colleagues that "whilst the spirit remains willing, the body is not".

There have been reports of tensions at the heart of No 10 between Mr Case and Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray, but the Cabinet Secretary said: “It is a shame that I feel I have to spell this out, but my decision is solely to do with my health and nothing to do with anything else.” READ MORE: Huge movie star spotted filming in the Northern Quarter Mr Case returned to work in January after two months off sick and he said he had been “undergoing medical treatment for a neurological condition over the last 18 months”.

A recruitment process for the next cabinet secretary has begun. In a sign of the turbulence in British politics, Mr Case said: “It has been an honour to serve two sovereigns, four prime ministers and over 120 Cabinet ministers in this role. “There have been far more ups than downs along the way and by far the greatest highlight has been the privilege of working with so many remarkable public servants, across the length and breadth of our country, in our overseas posts and with counterparts from our close allies and partners around the world.” Mr Case was appointed Cabinet Secretary by Boris Johnson in September 2020.

Evidence at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry revealed he was often exasperated by the administration. He said he found Mr Johnson’s style of working “very frustrating” and described his day-to-day administration as “dysfunctional”.