Simon Case is expected to stand down as Cabinet Secretary at the end of the year amid ongoing health problems.
The head of the civil service, one of the most powerful figures in Whitehall, took a leave of absence last year due to a “private medical matter”, delaying his appearance at the Covid inquiry. It is now thought he will stand down within months.
The Telegraph understands he is undergoing ongoing treatment for his health condition and that doctors have given advice about his workload. According to Politico, which broke the news of his expected resignation, Mr Case, 45, is still working at “full capacity”.
While Cabinet Secretaries do not usually stand down when a Prime Minister leaves office, as they provide continuity, Mr Case was thought to be preparing to quit after overseeing the transition to the new Labour government. Sir Olly Robbins, Theresa May’s chief Brexit negotiator, has been touted as his potential successor.
Sir Olly, who quit the Civil Service when Boris Johnson won a landslide in 2019, has reportedly had “informal” discussions with Sue Gray, Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, about a senior job under Labour.
Known for helping to secure Mrs May’s Brexit deal, which was rejected by parliament three times, he was blamed by Brexiteers for softening the terms of Britain’s exit from the EU and failing to demand concessions from the bloc on the Northern Irish backstop.
Mr Case was appointed Cabinet Secretary in September 2020, succeeding Sir Mark Sedwill. He has overseen a turbulent time in British politics, from the Covid pandemic to the energy crisis and the removals of both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
He has also been embroiled in several controversies since he took the post, having to step back from the investigation into the partygate scandal, ultimately led by Ms Gray, because of his own involvement.
He was also drawn into the rows surrounding Richard Sharp’s appointment as BBC chairman, and separately admitted an “informal conversation” about potential roles at a royal charity for Carrie Johnson, Mr Johnson’s wife, after a prompt from No 10.