Row erupts over future of Britain’s top civil servant Simon Case as he faces calls to quit

The civil service is like ‘a team without a captain’, according to historian Sir Anthony Seldon

The future of Britain’s top civil servant is under the spotlight after claims the service is demoralised and badly led. Sir Anthony Seldon, a leading political historian, has called for cabinet secretary Simon Case to resign, saying he no longer has “the authority or experience” to renew the civil service after a period of turmoil.

Mr Case was already under pressure after his personal views towards Partygate investigator Sue Gray were thought to be behind the delay of her appointment as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, even before the events of Tuesday and the pause of the government inquiry into her appointment.

Describing the civil service as “a team without a captain”, Sir Anthony told The Times: “With great sadness, because Case has been an exceptional public servant, I have concluded that the time has come to release him for a fresh leader charged with guiding, modernising and reforming the civil service, and providing renewed grip as cabinet secretary.”