The prime minister has told civil servants that he values them "speaking truth to power" in an all-staff email sent last night.
The message from Keir Starmer seeks to address “unsettling” events in recent weeks, nodding to the dispute over Peter Mandelson’s security vetting which saw Starmer sack Foreign Office permanent secretary Sir Olly Robbins – just a few months after removing the cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald.
“I know that for some of you, particularly those in roles in central government, the events of recent weeks have felt unsettling,” Starmer said in the email, which came ahead of today’s elections across English councils and the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.
“For many more of you, these headlines might feel a world away from your daily work. But wherever you serve, I want to be clear: these events do not define the civil service.”
Starmer sacked Robbins on 16 April, telling reporters that it was “unforgivable” that Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials had not informed him that UK Security Vetting had recommended against granting Mandelson developed vetting.
Robbins, who had only returned to the civil service last year, told the Foreign Affairs Committee in a scrutiny session following his sacking that this was a “dangerous misunderstanding of the necessity of confidentiality of the process.”
In the wake of the sacking, former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell warned that Starmer faced “one of the worst crises in relations between ministers and mandarins of modern times”, while fellow ex-cab sec Mark Sedwill said he should be reinstated.
In his email to civil servants yesterday evening, Starmer said: “To those who feel exposed by recent scrutiny, let me say this: I value the "speaking truth to power" that is the hallmark of our system. I want a culture where information flows freely, where risks are flagged early, and where we work together to solve problems before they become crises.”
He added: “The relationship between a minister and their officials relies on a bedrock of total transparency. Without that trust, the partnership that sits at the heart of our constitution cannot function.”
Starmer said ministers are “fixing the processes that have failed” but are “not changing the fundamental value” they place on the role of civil servants.
The PM said he had discussed “the vital importance of the partnership between politicians and officials” at a recent cabinet meeting, adding “we are one team”.
“My government’s priorities – from tackling the cost of living to rebuilding the NHS and making our streets safer – cannot be delivered by ministers alone,” he said. “They require your expertise, your challenge, and your dedication. I know that the cabinet secretary is focused on delivering these priorities, working with all of you to serve the public in the best interests of our country.”
In the email, Starmer also recalled his first message to civil servants when he became prime minister in July 2024, almost two years ago.
“I said that as public servants, you have my confidence, my support and, importantly, my respect,” Starmer said. “Since that day, I have seen that respect justified time and again. Whether it is the DWP official helping a family get the support they need, the prison officer keeping us safe, or the policy professional solving the most complex challenges of the age – your work is the backbone of this country.”
Starmer said his ask of civil servants now is to “continue acting with the pride and professionalism that brought you into public service” and to “continue to provide the honest, rigorous advice that makes our government better”.
“The service you give this country matters,” he said. “My confidence in the integrity and dedication of the civil service remains absolute. We have a huge job to do for the British people, and we will do it together.”