Northern Ireland Civil service left leaderless after DUP and SF fail to make appointment – despite nine months’ notice

Last December the then head of the civil service, David Sterling, announced that he would be retiring this summer and said he was deliberately making his announcement well in advance of his departure to allow for his successor to be chosen.

However, despite the fact that the DUP and Sinn Fein returned to power in Stormont Castle the following month, it took seven months for them to even advertise the post.

The advertisement involved a significant salary increase and stressed the importance of the job at a time when in the wake of the RHI scandal revelations there is widespread agreement within the civil service, in politics and in wider society that the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) requires radical reform.

However, the job did not attract top-calibre applicants from outside the NICS. All six of those interviewed in the first stage of the process are either current or recently departed Stromont officials.

Uniquely in the UK, several years ago the DUP and Sinn Fein changed the rules around appointing the top civil servant to allow them to personally interview and select the winner, despite the post and the civil service requiring political neutrality.

Three civil servants got to the final interview with the first minister and the deputy first minister. It is understood that the final three candidates were Department of Finance Permanent Secretary Sue Gray, Department of Justice Permanent Secretary Peter May and Department of Health Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly.

Interviews were due to take place last week but were delayed until Wednesday due to Mrs Foster having the flu.

However, yesterday the BBC revealed that the DUP and Sinn Fein ministers had decided not to appoint any of the three candidates.

When asked yesterday about the issue, Ms O’Neill said that they would now appoint an interim head of the civil service – a decision which follows them having appointed an interim attorney general at the start of the summer.

UUP leader Steve Aiken said the situation was “disquieting” and “raises serious concerns”. Referring to Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill, he said that they had “failed in one of the most important recruitment processes within government at the height of a global pandemic”.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath told the BBC it was “incredible, given the extended notice period, that we’re now left in a situation where the joint first ministers have been unable to appoint a replacement and the office of our most senior civil servant is vacant”.

The News Letter asked if Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill had been unable to agree on who to appoint. At the time of going to press, there was no response.

Union bosses: Astonishing and deeply concerning

The union which represents senior civil servants across the UK has expressed alarm at how the appointment of the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service is being handled.

Dave Penman, general secretary of The First Division Association (FDA), told BBC Talkback that the situation was “astonishing”.

Mr Penman said: “It is completely irresponsible for [Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill] to put themselves and the people of Northern Ireland in this position in the middle of a pandemic.”

FDA national officer Allan Sampson said: “This is very disappointing news which leaves the Northern Ireland Civil Service in a state of uncertainty at a time of crisis.

“The service is crucial to the delivery of vital public services, and it is therefore deeply concerning that ministers would put themselves, civil servants and the people of Northern Ireland in this position in the middle of a pandemic.

“This process has already been very slow, with the previous head announcing his retirement last year.

“Ministers must now set out why they have made this decision and what their plan is to provide the Northern Ireland Civil Service with the leadership it needs at this critical time.

“It is absolutely vital that we protect the impartiality of our civil service, and politicians must ensure they do not put partisan interests ahead of effective government and public need.”

Speaking at the Executive press conference yesterday evening, Arlene Foster said that she and Ms O’Neill will now move to appoint an interim head of the civil service and then readvertise the post.

The first minister also paid tribute to civil servants, saying: “I am very proud of the work they do”.

Pay hike as Executive makes last-minute search for top civil servant

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