Cabinet Secretary ousted by Starmer got eye-watering payoff worth more than £850,000

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 09:17 EDT, 14 September 2026 | Updated: 09:50 EDT, 14 September 2026 The Cabinet Secretary effectively ousted by Keir Starmer was handed a payoff worth more than £850,000. Chris Wormald received 'contractual compensation' of £332,897 and 'additional severance' of £526,598.The eye-watering figures were revealed in the latest Cabinet Office accounts.Civil servants made Sir Keir give a 'direction' after raising concerns they did not know that the sums represented value for money. Chris Wormald received 'contractual compensation' of £332,897 and 'additional severance' of £526,598Join the discussionShould anyone in public service ever receive such huge severance payouts?What's your view?A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: 'We do not comment on HR matters.'The Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office received a ministerial direction from the then Prime Minister to proceed with the payment to the former Cabinet Secretary. Their exchange of letters is a matter of public record.'Appointing Sir Chris to the £220,000-a-year job in December 2024, Sir Keir lavished praise on him as 'exceptional' the right option to 'drive' change.'There could be no-one better placed to drive forward our Plan For Change than Chris, and I look forward to working with him as we fulfil the mandate of this new government, improving the lives of working people and strengthening our country with a decade of national renewal,' the premier said.Sir Chris was drafted in to replace Simon Case - now Lord Case - who received a £200,000 severance deal.However, there were persistent rumours of tensions, with briefings apparently from No10 suggesting the top mandarin has been holding up reforms. Civil servants made Sir Keir give a 'direction' after raising concerns they did not know that the sums represented value for money Sir Keir replied to the request for a direction in February, saying he was entitled to 'consider the wider public interest in respect of bringing his matter to a conclusion'