Top civil servant fighting cancer

THE country’s top civil servant, Sir Jeremy Heywood, has been having treatment for cancer, the Cabinet Office announced yesterday.

The Cabinet Secretary, 55, was diagnosed in June and treatment over the summer ‘went well’, an official statement said.

He continued his work during this period and remains ‘totally focused’ on his duties, it added. As head of the Civil Service, Sir Jeremy has been heavily involved in preparations for leaving the EU.

He has been Cabinet Secretary since December 2011, making him one of the most influential figures in Westminster.