Labour’s Cronyism Claims Spark Whitehall Review

The Civil Service Commission is scrutinizing appointments made to the senior civil service under the Labour government, following allegations of cronyism. Kate Owen, the Commission’s interim chief executive, has requested information about appointments that bypassed standard recruitment processes. The move comes after reports of several individuals with close ties to Labour taking on senior roles within the civil service. These include Jess Sargeant, a former Labour Together think tank employee, who was appointed to the Cabinet Office, and Emily Middleton, a consultant who became a director general in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Ian Corfield, a Labour Party donor, was appointed as a temporary director of investment at the Treasury. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the appointments were based on merit and the need for the right people in the right places. However, the Commission’s review aims to ensure transparency and public confidence in the appointment process.