No10 Says It Was "Right To Reflect" On Government Operations
Sue Gray was appointed as Keir Starmer's chief of staff in September 2023 (Alamy)
1 min read
The Prime Minister's spokesperson has said No10 was "right to reflect" on whether the previous structures at the head of government were operating effectively, following the departure of Sue Gray as chief of staff.
On Sunday, Sue Gray quit her role as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff, with a Downing Street spokesperson confirming Gray would take up a new role as the PM's envoy for nations and regions – a civil service role in the Cabinet Office.
Asked by PoliticsHome whether the structures previously in place were not operating effectively, the Prime Minister's spokesperson said that the changes were put in place to "strengthen" the operation.
"I think it's right to reflect on the first weeks and months in office to ensure that you have the right structures in place going forward to deliver the change for the country," they said.
"And as the Prime Minister said, the appointments he's made will strengthen the Downing Street operation and demonstrate his determination to deliver the change that the country voted for."
Gray's resignation followed a recent controversy about the revelation that she was paid £170,000 a year in her role, higher than the Prime Minister's salary, which prompted negative briefings from Whitehall figures to the BBC.
Her role will be taken by Morgan McSweeney, with Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson as deputy chiefs of staff, and James Lyons set to head up a new strategic comms team.
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