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Covid Inquiry Blasts Wormald's Misleading Pandemic Assurances

11/21/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Covid inquiry report criticizes Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald's pandemic response, citing misleading assurances from the Department of Health that failed to reveal the virus's urgency.
The inquiry notes Wormald did not address misleading information from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
Insiders say Wormald may be replaced, with Antonia Romeo, Home Office permanent secretary, and Sir Oliver Robbins, Foreign Office permanent secretary, among the candidates.

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Story summary

The Covid inquiry report criticizes Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald's pandemic response, citing misleading assurances from the Department of Health that failed to reveal the virus's urgency.
The inquiry notes Wormald did not address misleading information from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
Insiders say Wormald may be replaced, with Antonia Romeo, Home Office permanent secretary, and Sir Oliver Robbins, Foreign Office permanent secretary, among the candidates.