A shocking revelation has emerged, raising questions about the integrity of a high-profile appointment. But was it a cover-up or a routine procedure? The story begins with a dramatic break-in...
In a surprising turn of events, the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics team forcibly entered a safe, destroying a sensitive document—a bullying investigation report involving the newly appointed head of the civil service, Antonia Romeo. This incident, which occurred in 2022, has sparked intense scrutiny and controversy.
Darren Tierney, then the director-general of the government standards watchdog, orchestrated the break-in, claiming he needed access to a confidential report about Romeo, who had just been appointed as cabinet secretary by Sir Keir Starmer. The report in question was related to allegations against Romeo during her time in New York in 2017, which included misuse of expenses and mistreatment of staff. Interestingly, Tierney had previously worked for Romeo at the Department for International Trade (DIT).
Tierney's justification for the break-in was to assist with the redaction process for a memoir by Lord McDonald, a former Foreign Office permanent secretary and critic of Romeo. However, the circumstances surrounding the break-in and the subsequent disposal of the report have raised eyebrows.
But here's where it gets controversial: Tierney claimed he couldn't find the safe's code but urgently needed the bullying report. He then disposed of the document, along with other files, citing guidance from the civil service HR department. However, a former senior civil servant disputes this, stating it was laughable to suggest the document needed to be destroyed, as it had already been held for half a decade and such records are typically preserved for future reference.
And this is the part most people miss: The break-in occurred shortly after the bullying allegations were first reported in the media, and the document in the safe was crucial for the government to issue accurate public statements. This raises questions about the timing and motive behind the break-in.
Romeo's appointment has been mired in controversy, with concerns about the vetting process and access to the full investigation. Some sources claim that key officials did not have the report during the vetting process, while others suggest that copies of the report have mysteriously vanished. Starmer has defended Romeo, praising her as an outstanding public servant, but critics argue that her appointment was rushed and lacked proper scrutiny.
A twist in the tale: Tierney's involvement adds another layer of intrigue, as he later became director-general of the propriety and ethics team, leading investigations into gatherings at Downing Street during the pandemic.
The Cabinet Office has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the safe was broken and the incident had nothing to do with the HR report or the cabinet secretary. They maintain that the bullying allegations were thoroughly investigated and dismissed almost a decade ago. However, the destruction of the report and the apparent lack of transparency have fueled skepticism and calls for further inquiry.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between maintaining government integrity and ensuring accountability. Was the destruction of the report a routine procedure or an attempt to suppress information? The public deserves a clear and transparent explanation, and the controversy surrounding this incident is far from over.
