Article in Civil Service World
The head of a civil service union has slammed for making “unfounded inflammatory accusations” after
she promised to stamp out a “woke civil service culture that
strays into antisemitism” if she becomes prime minister.
FDA general secretary Dave Penman said the claim – included in a
press release published by the Truss campaign outlining “support
for the British Jewish community” – was “insulting and
abhorrent”.
“Every organisation has its culture, but it’s not fixed, it can
be changed,” the Conservative Party leadership hopeful and
foreign secretary said.
“That’s what ministerial leadership is about: it’s about making
sure that the policies we represent, the values we stand for, are
reflected in what we do. I’ve been very clear with our officials
about the positions we take on Israel, and that will continue if
I become prime minister.”
Penman said accusations by ministers’ of “civil service wokeism”
amounted to “a criticism of their own leadership”.
But he added: “Truss’s accusation of antisemitism goes further
than the usual dog-whistle politics that has been on display
during this leadership campaign when it comes to the civil
service. She provides no evidence for her accusation that many
civil servants will find both insulting and abhorrent.
“A prime minister is also minister for the civil service, and
throwing around such unfounded inflammatory accusations
illustrates a lack of leadership, the very thing that she claims
to be demonstrating.”
