Antonia Romeo is not a typical civil servant, according to almost everyone who has worked with or met her in a professional context.
Charming, ambitious and not afraid to publicise her own achievements, Romeo was on the shortlist to be cabinet secretary a year ago when Keir Starmer opted instead for a classic “Sir Humphrey” choice in Chris Wormald.
But with Wormald being forced out, the permanent secretary of the Home Office now finds herself back at the top of the list of appointable candidates – and the frontrunner to succeed him.
Whitehall sources say Romeo’s appointment is the most likely option but “not nailed on”, as No 10 “still don’t know what they want”.
One senior person who has worked with her says she is “clearly an outstanding candidate and would be a
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