Failing the sniff test

The Opposition are asking questions about reports an ex-Labour staffer has become a top civil servant. But reports about digital wonk Emily Middleton are also causing concern in Whitehall.

According to Politico, the Government has appointed Emily Middleton as a Director General - a very senior civil service position in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT, pronounced ‘D-sit’ by every in Whitehall).

Middleton, as the Politico story makes clear, was on secondment in the office of Peter Kyle prior to the General Electio…