We are losing experienced public servants when we need them most

The head of the government’s legal department Jonathan Jones has today resigned over news that the government is to change elements  of the Northern Ireland protocol in the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

 

Jonathan Jones is the sixth senior Whitehall official to resign this year.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, responded:

“Effective government needs a civil service that can give advice without fear or favour.

“This government are eroding the civil service with every official that leaves because they are undermined by political leaders.

“Attacking the role of experts was bad enough, but now the suggestion is that they are prepared to ignore their legal advisors as well.

“This country is facing the unprecedented double challenge of dealing with the pandemic and leaving the EU. The only way to succeed on either is to respect and invest in public servants.

“Government mismanagement and personal vendettas mean we are losing experienced public servants at exactly the time we need them most. An urgent change of course by the Prime Minister is needed now.”