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Ex-Cabinet Secretary Slams Government's 'Shoddy' Civil Service Handling

2/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Lord O'Donnell (former Cabinet Secretary) described the government's handling of civil service issues as "shoddy."
Philip Rutnam, the former permanent secretary at the Home Office, told Newsnight that removing "corrosive negative briefing" would significantly boost civil service effectiveness in both the short and long term.
The remarks link internal communications to potential gains in government performance.

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Story summary

Lord O'Donnell (former Cabinet Secretary) described the government's handling of civil service issues as "shoddy."
Philip Rutnam, the former permanent secretary at the Home Office, told Newsnight that removing "corrosive negative briefing" would significantly boost civil service effectiveness in both the short and long term.
The remarks link internal communications to potential gains in government performance.