Starmer's most senior adviser is condemned for his Covid failings

THE most powerful official in Keir Starmer's Government is under pressure to quit after the Covid inquiry highlighted key failures in the pandemic.

- CHRISTIAN CALGIE and JONATHAN WALKER

Cabinet Secretary Christopher Wormald did not ensure former prime minister Boris Johnson understood the challenges facing the NHS when he held the post of Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health.

A scathing report by Baroness Heather Hallett said: "His failure to do so gave rise to additional concerns at the centre of the government about the effectiveness of Sir Christopher Wormald's leadership at the Department of Health." Sir Christopher was appointed Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service in December last year.