Keir Starmer's new Cabinet Secretary made staff join non-binary book club during performance review

Britain's newly appointed Cabinet Secretary instructed a civil servant to participate in a "gender non-conforming book club" during her leadership of the Department for International Trade, it has been revealed.

Dame Antonia Romeo became the first female to hold the post in the role's 110-year history after Sir Keir Starmer announced his decision on Thursday.

She has faced multiple bullying allegations earlier in her career, though the Prime Minister is said to be impressed by her ability to "get things done", leading to her appointment following Sir Chris Wormald's departure last week.

However, documents reviewed by The Telegraph suggest the former DIT permanent secretary directed a staff member to dedicate one day a week to inclusivity programmes between 2017 and 2021.

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The employee was reportedly required to spend up to 20 per cent of their working hours on diversity objectives, including raising "awareness and visibility of non-binary identities".

Sir Keir appointed Dame Antonia to the nation's most senior civil service position amid an ongoing briefing war concerning improper expense claims, along with historic allegations of bullying.

These latest revelations intensify questions surrounding her suitability for the role.

Zia Yusuf, chairman of the Reform Party, condemned the appointment in scathing terms, labelling Dame Antonia the "Queen of woke" and "the embodiment of all that's wrong with the blob."

Writing on X, Reform's Home Office spokesman alleged: "At DIT, she bombarded staff with weekly emails pushing Transgender Awareness Week, Bi Visibility Day, and even recommended watching films about trans parenthood."

He further claimed: "She flew the Trans flag over HQ, and during BLM, urged everyone to 'double down' on diversity agendas."

According to documents, specific tasks assigned to staff included "challenging dated and discriminatory societal gender norms of expression, presentation, behaviours, roles or expectations that reinforce the patriarchy".

Employees were also directed to celebrate non-binary awareness week and encourage colleagues to display preferred pronouns in email signatures.

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Former DIT staff members have accused Dame Antonia of prioritising the department's Stonewall ranking, a controversial gay and trans rights charity, above its core trade promotion mission.

"It was her ultimate goal for the Department for International Trade that we receive a high score from gay rights charity Stonewall as the most inclusive government department for transgender and non-binary people," one disgruntled former colleague claimed.

Another ex-employee stated that Stonewall and Pride Month were "very high on Antonia's agenda."

In 2020, Dame Antonia celebrated on social media when DIT reached number 30 in Stonewall's top 100 employers list, describing it as "absolutely central" to becoming the most inclusive department in the Civil Service.

Former staff alleged the department introduced tranquillity rooms, glitter jars, hugging pillows and bisexuality awareness training in pursuit of higher rankings.

A Cabinet Office spokesman stated there was "no record or recollection" of the corporate objectives allegedly set by the former DIT permanent secretary.

Dame Antonia's appointment on Thursday drew mixed reactions across Westminster. Reform's Nadhim Zahawi described it as a "good appointment", while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood declared herself "thrilled" by the news.

Supporters of Dame Antonia, the first woman to hold the Cabinet Secretary position in its 110-year history, suggested the briefings against her were "dripping with misogyny."

The Prime Minister praised her "professionalism" when announcing her selection to succeed Sir Chris.

Sir Keir declared: "Antonia has shown she is the right person to drive the Government to reform, and I look forward to working with her to deliver this period of national renewal."

Dame Antonia described the appointment as a "huge privilege".

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