0h 8min, feb 19, 2026 y - Starmer Appoints Romeo

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as cabinet secretary, the UK's top civil servant.

Dame Antonia will be the first woman to hold the post in the role's 110-year history.

She faced multiple bullying complaints earlier in her career but government sources have told the BBC that Sir Keir was impressed by her ability to "get things done".

The government has previously said three allegations relating to Dame Antonia's use of expenses and bullying of staff when she was the UK's consul general in New York were investigated and there was "no case to answer".

The cabinet secretary is the prime minister's most senior policy adviser and sits next to them during cabinet minister meetings, which usually take place weekly in Downing Street when Parliament is sitting.

They are responsible for ensuring policy decisions are put into action and is ultimately responsible for all civil servants in Great Britain.

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