Selection on merit
David Cameron’s former Chief of Staff has been appointed as the UK’s ambassador in Paris from November, after being put forward for the job by the former Prime Minister.
Ed Llewellyn held the post of Cameron’s Chief of Staff for eleven years, both in power and Opposition.
The FDA – representing members of the Diplomatic Services Association, a section of the union – warned that the appointment risks undermining the process of filling key ambassadorial posts on merit.
“Ambassadorial posts are key to securing the UK’s interests abroad,” said General Secretary Dave Penman.
“Diplomats undergo years of training and are initially selected through open and fair competition.
“Whatever the individual merits Mr Llewellyn may have, the appointment undermines the principles of selection on merit that underpins the political neutrality of the civil service.
“Perhaps more crucially, if ambassadorial appointments are seen to be in the gift of outgoing Prime Ministers, this undermines both this appointment and the professionalism of the entire service.”
Llewellyn was also appointed a life peer in the former Prime Minister’s resignation honours list.
Related News
-
Structure over speed: Dame Wendy Hall on artificial intelligence in the civil service
Professor Dame Wendy Hall shares how artificial intelligence can assist the civil service, but shouldn’t be treated as a quick fix.
-
The engine room of reform: speeches from ADC 2025
As well as lively debates on motions, the 2025 Annual Delegate Conference also heard from three main speakers: Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office Georgia Gould, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman, and journalist and broadcaster Lewis Goodall.
-
“An opportunity missed”
Dave Penman has labelled new Commission “an opportunity missed” and called on the government to go further and look at parliament for a more independent system.