Prime Minister Keir Starmer has lost a third top aide within days as Britain's highest-ranking civil servant, Chris Wormald, resigned on Thursday, deepening the turmoil sparked by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal that has plunged the government into crisis.
Starmer has vowed to never walk away after facing the biggest challenge to his authority yet, including a call from Labour's leader in Scotland for him to stand down over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. despite his links to the late convicted sex offender Epstein.
"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.
"I have agreed with him that he will step down as Cabinet Secretary today," he added.
Wormald was appointed to the post in December 2024, the most senior role in the civil service – the permanent non-political government workforce.
