Civil servants were ‘in tears’ after Brexit vote, says Lord McDonald who admits he voted to Remain in EU
FOREIGN Office mandarins were “in tears” after the Brexit vote, a top official has claimed – with the Whitehall department in a “state of mourning”.
Lord McDonald, former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, also revealed that he told ministers and civil servants he voted Remain.
He made the shocking admission in an interview for Laura Kuenssberg’s new BBC 2 series State of Chaos.
Describing the atmosphere in the Foreign Office after the vote, Lord McDonald said: “The main feeling in the Foreign Office building was of mourning.
“People were in tears. People were in shock”
He added: “On this occasion, this solitary occasion I decided to tell my colleagues and therefore let ministers know that I voted to remain in the European Union.
“I felt that they would assume that in any case. So I decided to embrace it.”
The Civil Service code says that officials must be impartial and keep quiet about their political views.
Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara was stunned when Kuenssberg told her about Lord McDonald’s comments.
MacNamara said: “Wow. I don’t know why that would be a good or helpful thing.”
Kuenssberg also asked former Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond if the Treasury tried to block Brexit while he was at the helm.
Hammond replied: “The Treasury was certainly trying to go for a soft Brexit.
“I don’t think we should apologise for that at all.”
Watch Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos at 9pm, BBC Two, Monday 11th September.