Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to take sick leave 'for a few weeks'

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Britain's most senior civil servant is stepping down from his post for several weeks to take sick leave, the Cabinet Office has confirmed.

The Secretary of the Cabinet, Simon Case, is expected to be absent at a critical time for Rishi Sunak's government, grappling with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and numerous challenges at home.

The man 44-year-old was appointed head of government. post in the civil service by Boris Johnson in September 2020, replacing Sir Mark Sedwill, who resigned after being the subject of months of negative newspaper briefings.

Mr. Case, whose tenure saw him embroiled in a series of controversies, is expected to be out for "a few weeks".

The Cabinet Office has confirmed Mr Case's absence, which comes for a few days only after indiscreet WhatsApp messages during the pandemic were published by the UK's Covid-19 inquiry. .

And a Downing Street source said: "The Prime Minister is looking forward to his return and wishes Simon all the best in the meantime."

Politico, which was the first to report his absence, said Rishi Sunak would brief the Cabinet on the situation, with elements of Mr Case's role being filled by a number of senior officials during his absence, rather than someone standing in for the Secretary of State. Cabinet.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "The Cabinet Secretary is taking short leave due to a private medical matter and is due to return to work within a few weeks."

Mr. Case was due to give evidence on the Covid investigation in the coming weeks, after WhatsApp messages revealed some...