Britain's top civil servant resigns after two officials quit amid Mandelson fallout

Britain's Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Chris Wormald, has become the third senior official to step down in less than a week amid the political fallout over former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson, the Cabinet Office announced Thursday.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as a civil servant for the past 35 years, and a particular distinction to lead the Service as Cabinet Secretary," Wormald said in a statement.

The Cabinet Office added that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will appoint a new Cabinet Secretary "shortly."