Sue Gray Quits As Starmer's Chief Of Staff
3 min read
Sue Gray has quit her role as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff.
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed Gray would take up a new role as the PM's envoy for nations and regions.
Her resignation follows a recent controversy about the revelation that she was paid £170,000 a year in her role, higher than the Prime Minister's salary. It 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.
The loss of such a senior figure so soon after the election will undoubtedly be a blow to Starmer. Gray was hired as Starmer’s chief of staff in 2023 and worked on Labour’s preparations for government before the 2024 general election. She had been accused of "micromanaging", as rumours of a rift between her and McSweeney perpetuated.
Her report in her previous role as second permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office into parties in No10 during the pandemic was a significant factor in the downfall of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.
In a statement, Keir Starmer said: “I want to thank Sue for all the support she has given me, both in opposition and government, and her work to prepare us for government and get us started on our programme of change. “Sue has played a vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations. I am delighted that she will continue to support that work.”
Gray said: “I am pleased to have accepted a new role as the Prime Minister’s envoy for the regions and nations. “After leading the Labour party’s preparation for government and kickstarting work on our programme for change, I am looking forward to drawing on my experience to support the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to help deliver the government’s objectives across the nations and regions of the UK.
"In addition to building a close partnership with devolved governments, I am delighted this new role will mean continuing to work alongside and support the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Mayors on English devolution.
She went on: “It has been an honour to take on the role of Chief of Staff, and to play my part in the delivery of a Labour government. Throughout my career my first interest has always been public service. However in recent weeks it has become clear to me that intense commentary around my position risked becoming a distraction to the government’s vital work of change. It is for that reason I have chosen to stand aside, and I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minister in my new role.”
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