Story perspectives

Starmer's Team Shake-Up: Cabinet Secretary Controversy Unfolds

2/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sir Simon McDonald urged No 10 to conduct thorough due diligence in replacing cabinet secretary Chris Wormald with Antonia Romeo, Home Office permanent secretary and frontrunner.
Antonia Romeo has support for past actions against bullying but faces scrutiny over spending in New York.
Labour leader Keir Starmer is undergoing a shake-up in his team as advisers depart.
Skepticism remains about whether changing the cabinet secretary will affect Starmer's political goals.

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Story summary

Sir Simon McDonald urged No 10 to conduct thorough due diligence in replacing cabinet secretary Chris Wormald with Antonia Romeo, Home Office permanent secretary and frontrunner.
Antonia Romeo has support for past actions against bullying but faces scrutiny over spending in New York.
Labour leader Keir Starmer is undergoing a shake-up in his team as advisers depart.
Skepticism remains about whether changing the cabinet secretary will affect Starmer's political goals.