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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rowena Mason Whitehall editor

Cabinet secretary contenders: who’s in line for top job in UK civil service?

Simon Case Whitehall United Kingdom Sharon White Antonia Romeo Sir Keir Starmer Sue Gray Ofcom
Simon Case arrives at Dorland House in London: he is wearing a blue suit with a dark red tie and white shirt, and is holding a walking stick as he steps on to the pavement. He is in his mid-40s with short light brown hair, a beard, and glasses; and he is walking towards a sign that reads UK Covid-19 Inquiry
Simon Case, seen here in May arriving to give evidence to the Covid inquiry, is to step down as cabinet secretary next year on medical advice. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

Simon Case is expected to step down as cabinet secretary early next year on medical advice, after taking time off for health reasons last year.

The former royal aide, appointed by Boris Johnson to the top job in the civil service during the pandemic, has overseen Whitehall departments through the Partygate scandal as well as the premierships of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

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