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Mark Sedwill’s golden goodbye

Boris Johnson and Mark Sedwill (photo: Getty)

Britain’s top Civil Servant Mark Sedwill, who is standing down as Cabinet Secretary in September, received a pleasant package in the post on Wednesday evening.

In a public letter from the Prime Minister, it was announced that the departing civil servant would receive a whopping £250,000 boost to his pension pot – an incredible amount of money for a taxpayer-funded public servant. In 2015 the government promised to cap public sector payoffs at £95,000, but the policy was never implemented.

Sedwill’s departure as Cabinet Secretary was announced at the end June, following multiple reports that he had clashed with Boris Johnson’s team about the UK’s coronavirus response. David Frost, Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator, will take over Sedwill’s role as National Security Adviser, while the position of Cabinet Secretary is now open for applicants.

For his part, Sedwill has insisted that he wasn’t forced out of his position, and that he has continued to have an ‘amicable’ and working relationship with the Prime Minister.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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