Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, remains ‘totally focused’ on his job advising the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office said today
Britain’s top civil servant was diagnosed with cancer in June and has undergone treatment while continuing to work for Theresa May it was revealed today.
Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, remains ‘totally focused’ on his job advising the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office said today.
A statement said his treatment ‘went well’ but stopped short of saying Sir Jeremy had been given the all clear.
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said: ‘Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary, was diagnosed with cancer in June.
‘He underwent treatment over the summer and early autumn which went well.
‘Throughout this period, with the full support of his doctors, Sir Jeremy has continued with his normal duties for the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and as Head of the Civil Service.
‘He remains totally focused on those duties and we will be making no further comment on this private matter.’
Downing Street said the Prime Minister was ‘kept informed throughout’ his treatment, which is understood to have been completed.
A Number 10 spokeswoman said Sir Jeremy had Theresa May’s ‘full support’.
The veteran civil servant was appointed to his powerful post by David Cameron in July 2014.
Sir Jeremy is a close adviser to Mrs May and often sits at her right hand during meetings.
Sir Jeremy (second left) is a close adviser to Mrs May and often sits at her right hand during meetings (pictured is a Cabinet meeting at Chequers)
He is one of Britain’s highest paid public servants, earning almost £200,000 – more than the Prime Minster herself.
Sir Jeremy has been a controversial figure during his tenure and branded ‘Sir Cover Up’ by critics furious at his handling of Parliamentary inquires.
He has been unpopular with Brexiteers suspicious the Civil Service is not committed to delivering on the EU referendum result.