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Chris Wormald to Leave Role as Civil Service Chief

According to the Cabinet Office, the decision was made “by mutual agreement”, coming after a period of several months during which his performance had been subject to unfavorable media coverage.

The position of head of the Civil Service and cabinet secretary, held by Sir Chris Wormald, has been vacated, marking a significant change in the government's leadership.

Sir Chris Wormald
Sir Chris Wormald was appointed as cabinet secretary just over a year ago

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed appreciation for Sir Chris's support during his tenure, which began in December 2024, and acknowledged the contributions he made during his time in the role.

According to the Cabinet Office, the decision for Sir Chris to step down was made by mutual agreement, following a period of negative media coverage suggesting dissatisfaction with his performance from within Downing Street.

In the interim, Catherine Little, Dame Antonia Romeo, and James Bowler will assume Sir Chris's responsibilities until a permanent replacement is appointed, which is expected to occur shortly.

Sir Chris's departure sets a record for the shortest tenure as cabinet secretary in the history of the position.

At the time of his appointment, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined an ambitious agenda for Sir Chris, tasking him with leading a comprehensive reform of the British state.

However, some questioned whether Sir Chris, a career civil servant, was the ideal candidate to drive significant change within the Civil Service.

Sir Chris also oversaw the due diligence process for Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, although he had only recently taken office when the appointment was formally announced.

This development follows the recent departures of Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir's chief of staff, and Tim Allan, his director of communications, as the Prime Minister seeks to reorganize his team in the aftermath of the Mandelson controversy.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the decision, suggesting that Sir Chris was made a scapegoat to protect the Prime Minister's own interests.

Dave Penman, head of the FDA Union, condemned the treatment of Sir Chris, describing it as a low point in the government's relationship with the Civil Service, and citing the prolonged speculation surrounding his departure.

Penman further noted that Sir Chris faced anonymous briefings aimed at undermining his authority from the outset of his tenure as cabinet secretary.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey expressed concern about the potential consequences of the Prime Minister's actions, questioning who would be held accountable in the future.

In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Sir Chris's dedicated public service career, spanning over 35 years, and expressed gratitude for the support he received during his time as Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister confirmed that he and Sir Chris had agreed on the latter's decision to step down as cabinet secretary, effective immediately.

Sir Chris reflected on his career, describing it as an honor and privilege to have served as a civil servant, and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to lead the Civil Service.

He also extended his gratitude to the numerous individuals he worked with during his tenure, including civil servants, public servants, ministers, and advisers.

Dame Antonia Romeo is reportedly the government's preferred candidate to succeed Sir Chris, having been included on the shortlist for the position when Sir Chris was appointed.

Dame Antonia Romeo speaks into a microphone in front of a Union Jack flag.
Dame Antonia Romeo has held senior roles at the Department for International Trade, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office

If appointed, Dame Antonia would become the first female head of the Civil Service, a development that could help address concerns about a lack of diversity in senior government roles.

This move might also counter allegations of a "boys' club" culture in Downing Street, which has been linked to negative media briefings about women in government.

However, Lord McDonald, the former head of the Foreign Office, has suggested that the appointment process for the new cabinet secretary should start from scratch, implying that Dame Antonia's candidacy may not be straightforward.

Lord McDonald's comments may be related to an investigation into allegations about Dame Antonia's spending during her time as consul-general in New York in 2017, when he was her supervisor.

The Cabinet Office has responded to these concerns, stating that the allegations against Dame Antonia were previously investigated and dismissed.

A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office emphasized that Dame Antonia is a highly respected permanent secretary with a 25-year record of excellent public service.

The spokesperson noted that the allegations against her stem from a single grievance filed by a former employee, which was ultimately deemed unfounded.

The Cabinet Office has assured that the appointment process for the new cabinet secretary will be overseen by the First Civil Service Commissioner, currently Baroness Stuart.

Sir Keir has pledged to strengthen the vetting process for senior government roles, following controversy surrounding the appointments of Lord Mandelson and Lord Doyle.

Sir Chris had been overseeing the release of documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment, which were requested by Parliament.

Kemi Badenoch had advocated for Sir Chris to remain in his position until this process was complete and for a new, transparent process to select his replacement.

The situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by the government in its efforts to reform and rebuild its leadership team.

For ongoing coverage of these developments and the inner workings of Westminster, sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years

Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

Peter Murrell looking off to his right while sitting in a room. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and dark coloured tie.
Peter Murrell is due to appear in court next Friday for a preliminary hearing

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.

It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.

The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.

During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.

Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

A police van and a police officer outside Murrell's home in April 2023.
Murrell was arrested in 2023 as part of a probe into the SNP's finances

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.

BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.

The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.

Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.

Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.

The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.

A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.

The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.

It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.

The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.

Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.

Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests

The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.

In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) show a victory sign in front of a banner with Tarique Rahman’s photo, as the results project BNP's victory in the 13th general election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain
Tarique Rahman has been out of the country for 17 years. He has promised democracy will be restored

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.

As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.

In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.

Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.

Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.

This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.

During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.

The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.

Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.

In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".

Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.

Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.

The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.

Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.

The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.

As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.

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