Richard Calvert, private secretary to Clare Short, the Secretary of
State for International Development, is to replace the current head of
information for Short’s department.
Calvert, a career civil servant who has never worked for the Government
InformationService, will take over in mid-December from Philip Aylett,
who is considering his options.
The move was described as a blow to the GIS by one Whitehall
insider.
’It’s another smack in the face in that they think that a
non-professional can take over a professional job,’ said the
insider.
As private secretary, Calvert runs Short’s office and accompanies her on
ministerial visits. He previously worked as private secretary to
Baronness Linda Chalker, during her tenure as minister for Overseas
Development.
Calvert said the posts had changed since being upgraded, with more
emphasis on promoting awareness of development issues. ’I feel confident
about doing the job,’ he said.
The head of information post was subsequently upgraded, and Aylett
applied for but failed to secure the job.
