Questions about whether Liz Truss can handle 'solid' advice after Treasury sacking

The Government's decision to sack Sir Tom Scholar has been described as 'rather shameful' and 'disturbing' by former Civil Service chief Lord Kerslake< /p> Liz Truss has spoken out against Treasury 'orthodoxy' as she campaigned to become leader of the Tories (

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A former civil service chief has sounded the alarm over Liz Truss's ability to listen to 'solid' advice after a top civil servant was fired.

The government's decision to sack Sir Tom Scholar has been described as 'rather shameful' and 'disturbing' by Lord Kerslake.

Sir Tom's sacking has sparked a wave of condemnations amid fears that officials who disagree with the government's view will be purged.

Lord Kerslake told the Guardian: "What seems to have happened here is that they had an idea of ​​what they perceived to be his approach to the political side of things, and they decided that they didn't want to have that kind of robust problem-advice strategy.

“That is precisely what senior officials are here for. Even more than before, senior officials will be nervous about this and fear that strong advice will be interpreted as political differences with their policies.

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The dismissal of Sir Tom Scholar sparked a wave of criticism (

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Parliament Live)

"This marks a new level in the growing trend of blaming public servants and firing them, and basically saying they want a senior public servant who aligns with our personal views.

"I think that's really problematic...I think there will be a chilling effect and the rest of the world will be less convinced that decisions will be made on the basis of solid advice."

This echoes criticism from former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler, who told the BBC earlier this week: 'I think they are behaving inappropriately towards the civil service.

He continued, "A government would not come and day one would sack the Chief of Her Majesty's Defense Forces, the Chief of the Defense Staff."

During her leadership campaign, Ms. Truss denounced "Treasury orthodoxy".