Most people probably greeted Liam Fox sacking of Sir Bill Jeffrey, alongside that of the
Chief of Defence Staff in that Sunday Times interview with one word – who? The department’s Permanent Under-Secretary –- or PUS — is a pretty unassuming figure especially sat next to
the be-medalled soldiers he works with. Few people outside of Whitehall knew who he was before his defenestration; few will remember his name even today.
But there is more at work here than one man’s professional demeanor. Britons, despite being reared on the power of officials by TV shows like “Yes Minister”, do not know and do not care about anonymous power-brokers such as Sir Bill.
Only when a scandal grows out of all proportion do they become known. But until then, the media, politicians and officials cooperate in a conspiracy of silence, which aims at exaggerating the role of ministers.
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