Cabinet Office Receives Warnings About Antonia Romeo's Past Conduct Before Top Job

Two people have warned the Cabinet Office about Antonia Romeo's past behaviour before her potential appointment as Cabinet Secretary. This is more than one warning.
By Newsroom | Politics, UK Government |

Stakes are high for the integrity of the civil service leadership. Reports suggest that before Antonia Romeo was put forward for the role of Cabinet Secretary, concerns about her conduct were brought to the attention of the Cabinet Office. These issues involve past allegations of bullying and questions about expense claims. The situation raises inquiries into the suitability of candidates for top public service roles and the processes used to vet them.

Concerns were raised with Cabinet Office before Romeo appointment - 1

Background and Timeline of Allegations

Antonia Romeo was reportedly being considered for the position of Cabinet Secretary, the most senior civil servant in the UK. This role involves leading the entire civil service.

Concerns were raised with Cabinet Office before Romeo appointment - 2

  • Bullying Allegations: Sources have told the BBC that multiple complaints were made about Dame Antonia's conduct a decade ago when she served as the UK's Consul General in New York. One described her reaction to being told "no" as a threat to go to a superior.

  • Cabinet Office Response: The Cabinet Office has stated that the three allegations mentioned stem from a single complaint. They added that Dame Antonia was spoken to about her management style after this complaint was dismissed, and no similar claims have emerged in her other roles.

  • Conflicting Accounts: Sir Matthew Rycroft, who was the UK Permanent Representative to the UN in New York during Dame Antonia's tenure, and Rupert McNeil, the government's former head of human resources, have both indicated that there was only one complaint.

  • Further Warnings: A second individual has contacted the Cabinet Office to express reservations about Dame Antonia's appointment. This follows earlier government statements, reportedly from the then head of HR, suggesting that those now coming forward had not raised concerns during a past investigation into her behaviour. New evidence appears to contradict these assurances.

  • Expenses and "Disruptor" Label: Reports have also mentioned questions over past travel expenses. Some Whitehall officials view Dame Antonia as a "disrupter" who challenges the status quo, while others note a tendency towards self-promotion and mention that she has both supporters and detractors.

Evidence of Prior Concerns

Evidence suggests that the Cabinet Office was aware of issues prior to Antonia Romeo's potential appointment as Cabinet Secretary.

Concerns were raised with Cabinet Office before Romeo appointment - 3

  • Multiple Warnings: At least two individuals have contacted the Cabinet Office to warn against Dame Antonia's appointment. This indicates a pattern of concern extending beyond a single source.

  • Contradictory Assurances: The Cabinet Office's initial statement, as reported by Channel 4 News, was that those raising concerns now had not done so during a previous investigation. However, Channel 4 claims to have seen new evidence that appears to dispute this.

  • Specific Complaint Details: While the Cabinet Office has framed the complaints as stemming from a single incident with one complaint, sources have indicated to the BBC that there were "multiple" complaints about her conduct in New York.

Allegations and Defense

The core of the issue revolves around past conduct and how it was handled.

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Concerns were raised with Cabinet Office before Romeo appointment - 4

  • Nature of Complaints: Sources describe a pattern where Dame Antonia allegedly reacted negatively to being told "no," threatening to escalate issues to higher authorities.

  • Cabinet Office Position: The official stance from the Cabinet Office is that the concerns were limited to a single complaint, that the individual was advised on management style, and that no similar issues have arisen since.

  • Differing Perspectives: Sir Matthew Rycroft and Rupert McNeil support the Cabinet Office's account of a single complaint. However, other sources suggest a more extensive history of complaints.

Questions Surrounding the Appointment Process

The events surrounding Antonia Romeo's potential appointment have led to questions about transparency and vetting procedures.

  • "Mandelson Files" Connection: Some senior Whitehall officials have suggested a link between Dame Antonia's impending appointment and the government's alleged desire to limit the release of sensitive files related to Peter Mandelson. This raises concerns about potential cover-ups and political influence.

  • Replacement of Sir Chris Wormald: The departure of Sir Chris Wormald, the previous holder of the role, has been linked by some to his more open approach to document disclosure, further fueling speculation about the motivations behind the current appointment.

  • "Disruptor" vs. "Status Quo": Dame Antonia is described as a "disrupter" by some, implying she challenges established norms. Others express reservations, pointing to potential issues with her management style and self-promotion.

Expert Analysis and Official Statements

Commentary on the situation highlights differing views on Dame Antonia's suitability and the handling of the allegations.

  • Official Cabinet Office Statements: The Cabinet Office has consistently maintained that concerns were addressed appropriately, that a single complaint led to advice on management style, and that no further issues have been reported.

  • Whitehall Murmurs: Senior civil servants are reportedly divided. Some praise Dame Antonia's ability to challenge the "computer says no" culture, while others express disapproval regarding self-promotion and past issues.

  • Media Reporting: Reports from outlets like the Financial Times, BBC, and Channel 4 have detailed the growing concerns and presented accounts from various sources, some of which appear to contradict official statements.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The reports indicate that concerns regarding Antonia Romeo's conduct, including allegations of bullying and questions about expenses, were communicated to the Cabinet Office before her selection for the Cabinet Secretary role.

  • Conflicting Accounts: There are discrepancies between the Cabinet Office's official statements and accounts from various sources regarding the number and nature of past complaints.

  • Impact on Vetting: The emergence of a second individual warning the Cabinet Office, along with claims of evidence contradicting earlier assurances, raises questions about the thoroughness of the vetting process.

  • Broader Implications: The situation prompts a deeper examination of how public appointments are made, especially for critical roles like Cabinet Secretary, and the importance of transparent and robust vetting procedures. Further clarification from the Cabinet Office regarding the assessment of these warnings is necessary.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are people concerned about Antonia Romeo's appointment as Cabinet Secretary?
Some people have told the Cabinet Office about past issues, including claims of bullying and questions about expense claims, before she was considered for the top job.
Q: What kind of bullying allegations have been made against Antonia Romeo?
Sources told the BBC that complaints were made about her behaviour a decade ago in New York, where one person felt threatened when told 'no'.
Q: How has the Cabinet Office responded to these concerns?
The Cabinet Office said the three issues mentioned came from one complaint, which was dismissed. They added that she was spoken to about her management style, and no similar claims have happened since.
Q: Did anyone else warn the Cabinet Office about Antonia Romeo?
Yes, a second person has contacted the Cabinet Office to share concerns about her appointment, which seems to contradict earlier statements that those raising issues now had not done so before.
Q: What do other people in the government think about Antonia Romeo?
Some officials see her as a 'disrupter' who changes things, but others have concerns about her management style and self-promotion. There are divided opinions.