Writing in The Telegraph, Sir Gus O’Donnell asks whether the Union can survive increasing pressure for Scottish independence.
Sir Gus, who is the head of more than 440,000 civil servants in England, Scotland and Wales, says the future of the Union is one of several “enormous challenges” facing the political establishment in the coming years.
The admission from such a senior non-political figure that the break-up of Britain is now a real possibility is likely to push the issue up the political agenda.
“Over the next few years there will be enormous challenges, such as whether to keep our kingdom united,” he warns officials and politicians.
The remarks in today’s Daily Telegraph are Sir Gus’s final public comments before he steps down as Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service on Jan 1.
In the exclusive article, Sir Gus also warns that Britain faces major challenges as its economy falters and says that the Civil Service has to overcome its own “cultural inertia” to help lead Britain out of the economic downturn. » | Christopher Hope, and James Kirkup | Wednesday, December 21, 2011
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Alex Salmond: Sir Gus O’Donnell is right to recognise possibilty of Scottish independence: Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, dubbed Sir Gus O'Donnell 'a model civil servant' after the outgoing cabinet secretary questioned the future of the United Kingdom. » | Christopher Hope, and James Kirkup | Thursday, December 22, 2011
