So, what is the "Standing Officer" of the MoM?

[Haggridd]

No: HPFGUIDX 24451

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., prefectmarcus at y... wrote:
 

  This copy bears all the hallmarks of some 
> marketing flunky who did a cursory read through the book or has only 
> seen one or two viewings of the rough cut.  Their job is to build up 
> excitement about the film.  They aren't too concerned with accuracy.
> 
> In other words, use plenty of grains of salt.  :)


With Barrels of Salt. more likely!

 
> However, I suspect "Standing Officer" or something like it is liable 
> to be correct.  That is an important detail.  If it is canon, I 
would 
> speculate that it makes him more than a staff member to the 
Minister, 
> less than a cabinet minister.
> 
> Marcus

I would think that, assuming this isn't merely another botched effort 
from WB, that a "Standing Officer" might be something akin to the 
"Permanent Secretaries"  in the British government.  These are not 
politicians, and they do not hold public office, but they run the 
ministries in reality and "know where all the bodies are buried"-- 
which applies to Lucius Malfoy with perhaps particular significance.  
Such a permanent secretary would not succeed to the Minister's 
position in case of death or disability.

Haggridd