DIT perm sec Antonia Romeo approached to guest edit BBC Radio 4 Today programme

Cabinet Office says the proposal has not yet been agreed, despite reports


Antonia Romeo is to be a Christmas guest editor, it has been reported. Credit: Louise Haywood-Schiefer

By Richard Johnstone

26 Sep 2017

Department for International Trade permanent secretary Antonia Romeo has been approached to be one of the Christmas guest editors of the BBC Radio 4 flagship Today programme, but the Cabinet Office has insisted the invite has not yet been accepted.

It was reported yesterday that Romeo, who took up her post at the DIT in January, would be one of the guest editors of the show, who traditionally help shape the Today programme and provide some items during the period between Christmas and New Year.


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The Evening Standard said that Romeo would be one of this year’s guest editors, who also include former Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand, the artistic director of the English National Ballet Tamara Rojo and possibly Prince Harry.

However, responding to a request for comment from CSW, a Cabinet Office spokesman said that Romeo had been approached to be one of the guest editors of Today over the Christmas recess period.

“The invitation is currently being considered,” he added.

Romeo’s role in the flagship current affairs show would be an unusual step for a departmental permanent secretary, although Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer for England – a role that carries the rank of perm sec in Whitehall – was among the editors last year.

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