Boris Johnson and Theresa May under fire for ‘failing to protect’ civil servants in Brexit wars
New report says both Tory leaders allowed officials to become ‘target for political attacks’
Theresa May and Boris Johnson let civil servants “hang out to dry” after the service was bombarded with criticism over Brexit, an investigation has found.
Whitehall sources including officials, ministers and special advisers spoke anonymously to the Institute for Government (IfG) in a bid to “shine a light on the behind-the-scenes experience of some of those involved in one of the most controversial chapters in British political history”, says The Guardian.
The independent think-tank’s findings reveal “the difficult decision-making and sheer exhaustion suffered by officials” in the run-up to the first Brexit deadline on 29 March 2019, adds the newspaper, which reports that Whitehall sources “heavily criticised May’s relationship with the civil service”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
May is alleged to have “allowed her chief Europe adviser Sir Olly Robbins ‘to become a target for political attacks’ over her Brexit policy”, says ITV News.
“The prime minister was notably silent,” says the IfG in a newly published report. “She offered no support to her key adviser, who was taking personal and professional attacks as a result of her policy decisions.”
The Guardian says that according to Whitehall insiders, Johnson also used “the weapon of silence” when civil servants came under attack. The think-tank’s report notes that the PM “placed officials in an immensely difficult position by implying that he would break the law to take the UK out of the EU without a deal on 31 October 2019”.
“Excessive secrecy on Brexit” was another complaint. The IfG describes civil servants “huddling round” a single printout of a complicated no-deal tariff schedule because of “anxiety about leaks”.
The report also tells of staff “having to go to dark rooms to access documents on secure computers, and how a generous offer of ‘firebreak’ holiday after the second no-deal deadline on 12 April 2019 led to droves quitting their jobs” rather than face further “Brexit bedlam”, The Guardian adds.
IfG researcher Maddy Thimont Jack said: “Brexit demonstrated the very best of the civil service… But the task is still not complete and the tensions that Brexit exposed - particularly, between ministers and officials - have not necessarily gone away.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Farewell to Theresa May: a PM consumed by Brexit
Talking Point Maidenhead MP standing down at next general election
By The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published