Finance
Britain's most senior government official stands down
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 12, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 12, 2026
Quick Summary
Chris Wormald, Britain's top official, resigns amid a crisis following Peter Mandelson's appointment. This marks the third resignation in days.
Britain's most senior government official stands down
Resignation of Senior Government Official
LONDON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Britain's most senior government official, Chris Wormald, agreed with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stand down, the third member of his team to go in a matter of days after the appointment of Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador threw the government into crisis.
Prime Minister's Statement
"I am very grateful to Sir Chris for his long and distinguished career of public service, spanning more than 35 years, and for the support that he has given me over the past year," Starmer said in a statement on Thursday.
Background on Chris Wormald
"I have agreed with him that he will step down as Cabinet Secretary today," he added.
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; editing by James Davey)
Key Takeaways
- •Chris Wormald resigns as Britain's top government official.
- •His resignation follows Peter Mandelson's appointment as U.S. ambassador.
- •Prime Minister Keir Starmer expresses gratitude for Wormald's service.
- •Wormald's departure is the third in recent days.
- •The UK government faces a significant crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Britain's most senior government official stands down
1What is a resignation?
A resignation is the formal act of leaving a position or office, typically involving a written notice to the employer or governing body, indicating the individual's intention to step down from their role.
