Mr Case, whose time in the job has seen him involved in a series of controversies, is expected to be absent for “a few weeks”. The Cabinet Office confirmed Mr Case’s absence, which comes just days after indiscreet WhatsApp messages during the pandemic were released by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Mr Case, who was made Cabinet Secretary in September 2020 having been permanent secretary in Number 10 before then, wrote that he was “not sure I can cope” amid apparent frustration at how the pandemic was being handled in Government. The Cabinet Secretary was embroiled in the partygate row and had to step back from the investigation into lockdown-breaking parties, which ultimately fell to Sue Gray to lead, because of his own involvement. He was pictured at the Cabinet Room birthday party for which Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak were fined.

Source: The Times October 23, 2023 03:08 UTC