The recent revelation of a civil service ally's destruction of a historic bullying investigation report into Antonia Romeo has sparked controversy and raised questions about the integrity of the civil service. The report, which was kept in a safe, was requested by Darren Tierney, the then director-general of the government standards watchdog, to help with the redaction process for a forthcoming memoir by Lord McDonald of Salford. The report was destroyed by Tierney, who is seen internally as a friend and longstanding supporter of Romeo, after he apparently concluded that nobody else internally knew the code to access it. This action has led to concerns about the unusually short process leading to Romeo's appointment as cabinet secretary, and questions about whether those responsible for her vetting had access to the full investigation. The government has defended Romeo, describing her as an "outstanding public servant" and dismissing criticism of her as misogyny. However, the destruction of the report has added to concerns about the transparency and accountability of the civil service, and has raised questions about the appropriateness of Tierney's actions. The incident has also highlighted the need for clearer guidelines and oversight in the handling of sensitive documents and investigations within the civil service.
