Tories demand answers after Labour staffer ‘parachuted’ into senior government job

Move follows claims that former member of Wes Streeting’s staff hired for communications job in Department of Health

The Tories have written to a senior civil servant to demand answers about why a Labour party staffer was “parachuted” into a senior government job.
The move follows claims last month that a former member of Wes Streeting’s staff had been hired for a communications job in the Department of Health.
Victoria Atkins, the shadow health secretary, has written to Sir Chris Wormald, the department’s Permanent Secretary, to ask questions including whether the role had been advertised.
Sir Keir Starmer faces growing questions over the number of Labour Party loyalists being parachuted into supposedly impartial Whitehall roles.
In the letter, headed “politicisation of Department of Health civil servants”, Ms Atkins wrote: “Regrettably, allegations have emerged that a Labour Party worker has been parachuted into the Department in a Civil Service role through a closed recruitment process.
“Having worked with you and other talented and experienced civil servants in the department, including in the communications team, I am concerned about these allegations.
“The professionalism and political neutrality of the Civil Service is undermined with each of these allegations across Government. There must also be an impact on officials, as the rules of employment seem to be changing without consultation or transparency.”
Ms Atkins also asked questions such as whether the role was advertised within the Civil Service or externally, or whether the new press officer was granted an exception from the normal rules.
She questioned whether the new appointee had declared his interests, including Labour Party membership, in line with Cabinet Office guidance and the Civil Service Code, and asked what other appointments had been made without “fair and open competition” in the department since July 5.
Many recent appointments have been made using an exceptions rule that allows ministers to circumnavigate the usual Civil Service recruitment process. Rules drawn up by the Civil Service Commission say they should only use the process for short-term hires or where “highly specialist skills” are required.
The latest example involves an official who worked for Mr Streeting before the election. Shortly after Labour won power, he took a job in the Department of Health. It is unclear whether he had to go through the full recruitment process, including an interview, or was hired under the exceptions rule.
The revelations will add to growing allegations of cronyism. Sir Keir has attempted to dismiss the allegations as Tory smears, but the appointments have also been criticised by independent experts.
A Department of Health and Social spokesman said: “The department does not comment on individual personnel matters. Any appointments are made in line with the Civil Service rules on recruitment.”