Former Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald received a departure payment of £859,496 following his exit from the role in February. The payout, which was disclosed in Cabinet Office accounts, has drawn attention due to its size and the circumstances surrounding his departure.

There is a notable difference in how the circumstances of his exit are described. The Guardian reports that Wormald was "sacked" by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, characterizing the departure as a forced removal. In contrast, the BBC describes Wormald as the "shortest-serving cabinet secretary in the history of the post," focusing on the brevity of his tenure rather than the specific nature of his exit.

Financial details regarding the payment also highlight administrative irregularities. According to The Guardian, the payout was "greater than what Sir Chris Wormald would be contractually entitled to," necessitating a special direction from ministers to authorize the expenditure. The BBC has not yet provided details regarding the contractual nature of the payment or the requirement for special ministerial approval. Following his departure from the civil service, Wormald has been appointed to the House of Lords.