Connect with us

News

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.

Thin, red banner promoting the Politics Essential newsletter with text saying, “Top political analysis in your inbox every day”. There is also an image of the Houses of Parliament.

News

Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia".
Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

To stay up-to-date on the latest tech news and trends, sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter; international readers can subscribe via an alternative link.

A green promotional banner with black squares and rectangles forming pixels, moving in from the right. The text says: “Tech Decoded: The world’s biggest tech news in your inbox every Monday.”
Continue Reading

News

Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

Continue Reading

News

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.

Continue Reading

Trending