A former head of the civil service has raised the alarm about Liz Truss's ability to listen to "robust" advice after a top official was sacked.
The government's decision to dismiss Sir Tom Scholar has been branded "pretty disgraceful" and "worrying" by Lord Kerslake.
Sir Tom's sacking has sparked a wave of condemnation amidst fears civil servants who do not agree with the government's viewpoint will be purged.
Lord Kerslake told The Guardian: "What seems to have happened here is that they had a view about what they perceived was his approach to the policy side of things, and they decided they didn't want to have that sort of robust advice on the issues.
"That is precisely what senior civil servants are there for. Even more than before, senior civil servants will be nervous about this and worry that robust advice is interpreted as political differences with their policies.
"It marks a new level of the growing trend of blaming the civil servants and dismissing them, and essentially saying they want a senior civil servant who aligns with our personal views.
"I think that is really problematic ... I think there will be a chilling effect and the wider world will be less confident that decisions will be made on the basis of robust advice."
It echoes criticism by former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler, who told the BBC earlier this week: "I think they are behaving improperly towards the civil service."
He continued: "A government wouldn't come in and on the first day sack the head of Her Majesty's defence forces, the chief of the defence staff."
During her leadership campaign Ms Truss hit out at "Treasury orthodoxy".
Lord Wilson, who headed the service under Tony Blair, said in a letter to The Times: "To summarily dismiss a key top official, judged by most people to be outstanding, at this moment is destabilising.
"It is contrary to established practice and is bound to create ripples as consequential moves take place."
Former Treasury chief Lord Macpherson also defended Sir Tom, saying: "Tom Scholar is the best civil servant of his generation.
"Sacking him makes no sense. His experience would have been invaluable in the coming months as Government policy places massive upward pressure on the cost of funding."
In a statement after his sacking was confirmed, Sir Tom said: "The Chancellor decided it was time for new leadership at the Treasury, and so I will be leaving with immediate effect.
"It has been the privilege of my career to lead this great institution since 2016. I wish the Treasury all the best for the times ahead, and I will be cheering on from the sidelines."
