Is he not ultimately responsible for his department? Are you saying that PR in the environment agency is not the responsibility of the environment agency? It appears Smith is prepared to take the salary as its head but not any responsibility when any aspect of it fails. Presumably he just sees...
Politicians held responsible for failure in their departments and resign- you must be joking! They are all in it for what they can take out and certainly not what they can give. There is barely an honourable one in any party.