Sue Gray has resigned as Downing Street chief of staff amid concerns she is becoming a “distraction” in Keir Starmer’s government.
There are reports of tensions surrounding Mr Gray within Number 10, including between him and Mr Starmer’s chief adviser Morgan McSweeney, who will replace him.
Mr McSweeney, the son of an accountant from Cork, is the party’s election guru who masterminded Mr Starmer’s succession from Jeremy Corbyn. He is from the town of Codrum, just outside Macroom, Cork.
While many senior Labor Party officials downplayed the friction between Mr Gray and Mr McSweeney, who are both close to the prime minister, one cabinet minister foreshadowed Mr Gray’s future a few weeks ago, telling the Guardian: I have to go. It’s not going to be Morgan. ”
Mr Gray was announced to take up a new government role as the prime minister’s special envoy for the region and the country, with his entire top team shaken after Mr Starmer came under intense pressure to end his sometimes hostile press conferences. Number 10 announced. His first 100 days were overshadowed.
The Prime Minister said he was aiming to change the narrative and had made five changes to his team to “strengthen our work in Downing Street ahead of our 100th day in office”.
Ms Gray said in a statement on Sunday: “I am delighted to have taken on my new role as the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the region and the nation.”
Mr Starmer thanked Mr Gray for “all the support she has given me, both in the Opposition and in government, and for working so hard to prepare me for government and help us begin our program of change.” I am grateful for her work.”
“Sue has played an important role in strengthening our relationships with the region and nation, and I am delighted that she will continue to support that work.”
She said in a statement: “I am honored to take on the role of Chief of Staff and play a role in delivering a Labor government.
“Throughout my career, my first interest has always been public service.
“However, in recent weeks it has become clear that my harsh comments about my position risk detracting from the government’s important change work. For these reasons, I have decided to step aside. I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minister in his new role.”
Last month, during a series of press conferences with Gray as chief of staff, it was leaked to the BBC that he earned more than the Prime Minister.
The broadcaster was told that Ms Gray earns £170,000 (€203,123), making her £3,000 more than Mr Starmer.
When asked last month to comment on the rumored infighting between Mr Gray and his colleagues, including Mr McSweeney, the Prime Minister declined.
He said in September: “I’m not discussing individual members of staff. I don’t do that to any staff and I’m not going to break that rule. It’s not a new rule for me. This is a rule that I objected to. This was a rule when I was Director of Public Prosecutions and we had concerns with senior staff from time to time.
“I feel that I have a duty to all of my staff to respect and protect them, and that means never discussing them in sessions like this.” – Agency
