Steerpike Steerpike

How much longer has Simon Case got?

Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Another quiet, uneventful weekend for the Cabinet Secretary. The resignation of Richard Sharp as BBC Chairman on Friday re-opened questions about Simon Case’s involvement in facilitating a loan for Boris Johnson. On Saturday, Case was reported to have been sidelined by Johnson’s successor Rishi Sunak. Then on Sunday he was embroiled in questions about the use of Chevening as Liz Truss’s leadership base last summer. And now on Monday, he has become engulfed in a briefing war with Sue Gray and her allies amid claims that he is blocking her from being Starmer’s chief of staff as part of a ‘personal vendetta.’

Four headline stories across four consecutive days – what would Sir Humphrey have to say about that? Case emerged particularly poorly from the report by barrister Adam Heppinstall into Richard Sharp’s appointment for having an unminuted and undeclared meeting with him prior to his BBC appointment. Proper note-keeping is basically the raison d’etre of a Cabinet Secretary after all.

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in