Former civil service chief Sir Jeremy Heywood has died from cancer aged 56, Downing Street has announced.
The respected Whitehall mandarin and father of three only retired less than two weeks ago based on medical advice.
Sir Jeremy, who been cabinet secretary since 2012 and head of the home civil service since 2014, had been on leave since June to receive treatment.
He previously served as principal private secretary to prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, chief of staff to Mr Brown and Downing Street permanent secretary to David Cameron.
Sir Jeremy has been described as ‘a wonderful public servant’
Sir Jeremy revealed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with cancer in June 2017, but had stayed in post amid the ensuing political turmoil following the shock general election result.
In recognition of his distinguished service, the Prime Minister had nominated Sir Jeremy for a life peerage as Lord Heywood of Whitehall.
In a statement, Sir Jeremy’s wife, Suzanne, paid tribute to a “wonderful father” who “crammed a huge amount into his 56 years”.
She said: “He saw it as a huge privilege to work so closely with four prime ministers and two chancellors and was unwavering in his efforts to help each of them reach their goals.
“He was always conscious of the need for civil servants to see the world through ministers’ eyes while at the same time respecting the boundaries between politicians and civil servants.
“Away from his work, he inspired admiration, respect and affection in his many and diverse group of friends and returned it to them.
“Jeremy could light up any room or conversation and loved hosting a good party.”
Theresa May said Sir Jeremy would be “sorely missed” and expressed her condolences to his family and friends.
She said: “The many retirement tributes paid to Jeremy from across the political spectrum in recent weeks demonstrated his extraordinary talent supporting and advising Prime Ministers and Ministers, and leading the Civil Service with distinction.
“He worked tirelessly to serve our country in the finest traditions of the civil service and he is a huge loss to British public life.
“I will always be grateful for the support which he gave me personally and will remember his achievements across his career as we regret that he did not have the chance to offer his talents for longer in retirement.”
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who previously held the health portfolio, revealed in a Twitter post that there would “absolutely not” have been the extra £20bn for the NHS without Sir Jeremy’s “tireless working behind the scenes”.
He said: “One of many examples of his extraordinary service to us all. Smart, loyal and decent, we will sorely miss him.”
Sir Jeremy’s predecessor Lord O’Donnell wrote in a tweet: “He was a great, dedicated civil servant who worked tirelessly for his country, his political masters and his colleagues. My thoughts are with his family who have supported him so well.
Sir Mark Sedwill, who succeeded Sir Jeremy, says he was a an ‘exemplary public servant’
Reacting to the breaking news on Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Labour former cabinet minister Yvette Cooper said: “It’s deeply sad. Jeremy was a wonderful public servant and he did a huge amount to hold governments together at very difficult times. I obviously knew him very well personally.
“People will not be aware of quite how many remarkable things he did to solve crises, to deal with some of the most difficult problems and as a very honourable public servant to hold people together and to make sure that the government frankly didn’t do stupid things on many occasions and to make sure there were solutions.
“His contribution to public life for all governments, whatever your politics, his contribution to public life was immense and I think we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable also told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “He was a superb public servant. He was brilliant in getting his head around complicated problems.”
Sir Mark Sedwill, who succeeded Sir Jeremy as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, said: “Jeremy made an immense contribution to public life, serving four prime ministers with distinction.
“Jeremy was the exemplary public servant. We will miss him more than we can say, and will be the poorer without his advice, leadership and extraordinary insight. He set the highest standards and challenged us to meet them.”
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