He was blocked by the country's most senior civil servant, partly on the basis that it was just months before a general election. (labour-uncut.co.uk)
Also, people at the top of an employment hierarchy, such as senior civil servants, tend to be long - lived. (sciencedaily.com)
Eight senior civil servants from the education sector have already been announced to help run regional schools commissioner offices. (educationbusinessuk.net)