Sir Jeremy Heywood, the former head of the British civil service, dies aged 56

• Former UK civil service boss Sir Jeremy Heywood has died.
• He passed away aged 56 following a battle with cancer.
• Heywood's death was announced on Sunday morning in a statement from Number 10 Downing Street.
• Prime Minister Theresa May described the news as "extremely sad."

Sir Jeremy Heywood, the former head of the British civil service, and one of the most influential figures in UK politics in recent years, has died aged 56 after a battle with cancer.

Heywood's death was announced on Sunday morning in a statement from Number 10 Downing Street. Prime Minister Theresa May described his death as "extremely sad."

He was the UK's cabinet secretary from 2012 until 2018 and head of the civil service between 2014 and 2018. He had stepped down from his post as civil service chief just over a week ago, having already been on a leave of absence for cancer treatment.

At the time, the prime minister said that Heywood had "made a contribution to public life few in our country can match."

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