Antonia Romeo named UK cabinet secretary amid criticism over past bullying complaints
Prime Minister Starmer has appointed Antonia Romeo as cabinet secretary, making her the first woman to hold the post. The move follows a due diligence review overseen by the First Civil Service Commissioner and comes amid resurfaced complaints about Romeo's conduct when she worked in the New York consulate.
Antonia Romeo: role, record and the selection process
As the new cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo will take on the role of the prime minister's most senior policy adviser and assume responsibility for ensuring policy decisions are implemented across the civil service. Her appointment follows a formal due diligence process overseen by the First Civil Service Commissioner, and she succeeds the previous cabinet secretary, who left the role after a tenure of 14 months.
Her supporters point to a long record of senior roles across government departments and highlight her reputation for delivery and determination. The prime minister described her as an outstanding public servant with a long career in delivery, and Romeo herself called the Civil Service a remarkable institution deserving of efficiency and innovation.
Former colleagues say Antonia Romeo appointment shows ‘poor judgment’
The appointment has prompted notable disquiet among people who worked with Romeo at the New York consulate nearly a decade ago. Several former colleagues have expressed dismay that the prime minister proceeded with the appointment despite complaints they raised about what they considered bullying behaviour at the time.
One formal complaint from 2017 was investigated by a senior diplomat who found there was a case to answer, but that finding was later dismissed by line managers at the Cabinet Office. Separate references in the record note that three allegations relating to Romeo's use of expenses and bullying of staff were investigated and concluded to present no case to answer. Those differing conclusions have become a central tension in the debate over her suitability for the top civil service role.
Critics who worked with Romeo in New York say their complaints were not given sustained weight at the time and warned that the decision to elevate her could be seen as poor judgment. Some of those former colleagues warned that staff who felt intimidated by Romeo would feel failed again by the civil service. Others contrasted the claims of effective delivery with allegations that she sometimes prioritised her own profile and moved impatiently with junior staff.
Officials who defended the appointment have pointed to Romeo's record of breaking conventions to achieve government objectives and stressed the outcome of the internal reviews that cleared her. Supporters emphasise her dynamism and willingness to drive reform; opponents stress the earlier finding by a senior diplomat and the unresolved reputational questions raised by those who complained.
Political implications and immediate outlook
The decision to appoint Antonia Romeo places the new cabinet secretary at the centre of efforts to implement the government's agenda, while also making her appointment a flashpoint for debates about leadership standards and vetting processes. Calls from senior civil servants for more exhaustive checks were noted ahead of the confirmation, and those concerns have persisted in public commentary since the announcement.
Romeo's critics warn that lingering grievances from former colleagues could become a recurring issue, while backers say her record of high-level delivery equips her to lead the civil service through the current programme of reform. For now, the appointment stands and the civil service will look to its new head to translate government decisions into action amid lingering questions about the handling of past complaints.
