The Covid Inquiry is publishing its second report tomorrow at 4 p.m. titled: “Core UK decision-making and political governance (Module 2).” Westminster has been waiting for this one as it is due to implicate the DHSC Permanent Secretary at the time, one Chris Wormald…
A long-briefed plan of Wormald-sceptics in Downing Street is to use Baroness Hallet’s no doubt devastating implication of the Cabinet Secretary in the chaos of the pandemic response to push him out of his position. Guido hears this course of action is supported by Louise Casey, Jonathan Powell, and Tim Allan…
Insider sources tell Guido however that Starmer and McSweeney “don’t want any more pre-Budget drama” and are opposed to sacking him now. Kicking the can down the road…
Wormald is widely blamed inside government for bureaucratic obstructionism – Starmer was warned that he was the ‘establishment’ choice prior to his appointment this year – and Casey was mooted in a pointed briefing to the Times as a possible replacement. A Downing Street source tells Guido there is “now a strong desire for him to show some honour and just resign on the basis that the report will show DHSC was a complete bin fire during the pandemic and Wormald was in charge.” The source adds that this is doubtful seeing as there isn’t “any honour left at the top of the Civil Service.” Never gonna happen…
