Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Permanent Under-Secretary Appointed at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, published on 8 January 2025, whether the new Permanent Under-Secretary was appointed through open and fair competition.

The appointment of the new Permanent Under-Secretary was made by the Foreign Secretary with the approval of the Prime Minister.

This was with the agreement, and in accordance with the rules, of the Civil Service Commission.