Truss criticised over Treasury boss sacking
Liz Truss is facing criticism following the sacking of the top official at the Treasury – just within days of her becoming the country’s new prime minister.
Sir Tom Scholar was fired this week much to the dismay of former cabinet secretaries Lord Butler and Lord O’Donnell, the pair say it compromised civil service independence.
The Treasury did not directly comment on the remarks but referred to a previous statement that thanked Sir Tom for his “dedicated service.”
On Thursday, Sir Tom left as Treasury permanent secretary after six years, saying new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng wanted “new leadership.”
But Lord Butler told BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend, said his “very unusual and very regrettable” departure reminded him of the US, where it is common for incoming governments to appoint their own officials.
“I think they are behaving improperly towards the civil service,” he told the programme.
“A government wouldn’t come in and on the first day sack the head of her Majesty’s defence forces, the chief of the defence staff,” he added.
He said the departure would prove disruptive.
“It’ll weaken them, but it’ll also corrupt our system, because one of those great advantages of having an independent, loyal civil service will be compromised.”