Sue Gray has resigned from her position as the Downing Street chief of staff amidst what she referred to as ‘intense commentary around my position’. This decision came after Sue Gray, a former civil servant, was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer as his chief of staff in March 2023. Her appointment drew criticism from some members of the Conservative Party due to her role in producing a report on Boris Johnson’s government and its lockdown-breaching parties at 10 Downing Street.
The controversy surrounding Sue Gray was further fueled when it was revealed that she received a pay rise after the election, resulting in her earning more than the new Prime Minister. Following her resignation, chief adviser and former Labour general election campaign director Morgan McSweeney will take over as the new Downing Street chief of staff.
In a written statement, Sir Keir Starmer expressed his gratitude to Sue Gray for her support during his time in opposition and government, highlighting her role in strengthening relations with the regions and nations. Sue Gray, in her statement, expressed her pleasure in accepting a new role as the Prime Minister’s envoy for the regions and nations. She emphasized her commitment to supporting the government’s objectives across the UK and building partnerships with devolved governments.
The resignation of Sue Gray comes at a challenging time for Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party. The government has faced backlash over decisions such as means-testing the winter fuel payment for pensioners and retaining the two-child benefit cap. Additionally, the upcoming budget is expected to bring significant public spending cuts, leading to criticism from within the Prime Minister’s own party.
The situation has been further complicated by controversies surrounding gifts accepted by government ministers, prompting Sir Keir to agree to pay back some of the freebies he received. Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has seized on these issues, portraying the Labour government as being in disarray and free fall.
In the midst of these challenges, Sue Gray’s resignation marks a significant development in the ongoing political landscape. Her decision to step down underscores the impact of internal conflicts and external pressures on the functioning of the government. As the political scene continues to evolve, the repercussions of her resignation and the broader issues facing the government will undoubtedly shape the course of future developments.