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Sir Patrick Brown, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Transport, announced today that he is retiring from the Civil Service.
Sir Patrick said:
"The decision to merge the Departments of Environment and Transport means that the time is ripe for me to leave the Whitehall stage. I should emphasise that my departure was not motivated by any difficulties or disagreement with the incoming Government, which some commentators forecast before the election. On the contrary, I know that Ministers appreciate that the transition to the new Government has been managed with the skill and professionalism I have learned to expect from my colleagues in the Department of Transport.
"I am naturally sad to leave the Civil Service, which has provided such an enjoyable and stimulating second career. I hope that in due course I might have the opportunity to embark on a third".
