Who is Sue Gray? Partygate investigator turned Labour chief of staff quits

‘Waiting for Sue Gray’ became something of a mantra for many politicians towards the end of Boris Johnson’s time in the top job.

Then working as a senior civil servant, Sue Gray’s findings on Partygate were hugely anticipated and, following a Met Police investigation into Downing Street events during 2020 and 2021 when lockdown rules set by the Government were in place, Ms Gray’s full damning report was finally released.

Following publication of the report, Ms Gray was approached by Kier Starmer- then the leader of the opposition- to become his chief of staff in March 2023, and courted controversy after being accused of failing to disclose the discussions in advance.

Known for her both her ruthless efficiency and discretion when running the Cabinet Office, Gray has been described as both ‘the woman who runs the country’ and ‘deputy God’ by MPs from both major parties.

But after finding herself mired in increasing amounts of controversy since entering goverment with Labour following revelations she earned a higher salary than the PM, Ms Gray today announced her resignation as Starmer’s chief of staff after claiming her position had become ‘a distraction’.

Here’s all you need to know about the rise and fall of one of the most powerful figures in the British establishment.

Who is Sue Gray?

Throughout her career in the civil service, Sue Gray has worked in a variety of government departments including Transport, Health, and the DWP.

Ms Gray took her first job in the Cabinet Office in the late 1990s, after taking a ‘career break’ where she bought and ran a pub in Newry, Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles.

She would go on to work as the Director General of Propriety and Ethics from 2012 to 2018 before becoming Second Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office from 2021 to 2023 – a role that reports to the UK’s most senior civil servant, Simon Case.

Her past experience includes an investigation of senior government minister Damian Green in 2017, which prompted his resignation, and high-profile inquiries into former defence secretary Liam Fox and ex-chief whip Andrew Mitchell over ‘plebgate’ in 2012.

In a 2017 interview, former Cabinet special adviser Polly Mackenzie told the BBC ‘Sue has been there for so long, she knows everything that anybody has ever done wrong,’ and that she was notorious for not leaving a paper trail when dealing with ministerial affairs. 

Why was her move to Labour controversial?

From the moment she announced her resignation from the civil service to join Starmer’s team, Sue Gray has courted controversy, which ultimately led to her resignation.

At the time of her appointment, a source was quoted as saying: ‘[Sue Gray] knows how Number 10 works and she’s very popular with civil servants.’

However, all civil servants are supposed to remain impartial and are to assist with the running of government under any elected administration, no matter what party is in charge.

It was suggested that by joining Labour and failing to disclose her intentions, Gray had become embrioled in a conflict of interests.

Several Tory sources used the described the move as ‘seriously bad for the reputation of the civil service’ and she became subject to an investigation by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which is in charge of overseeing new jobs for former ministers and senior civil servants. She was eventually cleared.

Why has Sue Gray resigned?

The partygate report author has been a high-profile figure in Sir Keir’s top team since she was appointed as chief while Labour were in opposition last year.

But in recent weeks, Number 10 has been plagued by reports of infighting, as rows over Ms Gray’s salary and Government freebies have been among those that have dominated the headlines.

Last month, it was leaked to the BBC that Ms Gray was earning more than the Prime Minister, amid a series of briefings against her as chief of staff.

The broadcaster was told that Ms Gray was earning £170,000, which would put her on £3,000 more than Sir Keir.

It comes less than 100 days since Sir Keir walked into Downing Street as Prime Minister, and the Conservatives have described the situation as ‘chaos’.

A Tory Party spokesman said: ‘In fewer than 100 days, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government has been thrown into chaos – he has lost his chief of staff who has been at the centre of the scandal the Labour Party has been engulfed by.

‘Sue Gray was brought in to deliver a programme for government and all we’ve seen in that time is a government of self-service.’

In her resignation letter,Ms Gray sai d: ‘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.’

Sir Keir thanked Ms Gray 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,’ he added.

Who will replace her as Starmer’s Chief of Staff?

Ms Gray’s departure has triggered a wider reshuffle of the Downing Street operation. She will be replaced as chief of staff by Morgan McSweeney, one of Starmer’s closest allies who has been engaged in a power struggle with Ms Gray in recent months.

Political director at Number 10 Vidhya Alakeson and director of government relations Jill Cuthbertson have also been promoted to deputy chiefs of staff.

Nin Pandit, director of the Downing Street Policy Unit, has been appointed parliamentary private secretary to the Prime Minister, and former journalist James Lyons will join to head up a new strategic communications team, Downing Street said.

The government’s list of planned announcements, known internally as ‘the grid’, will also now be under the control of the No10 communications team instead of Ms Gray, which is where some believe it should have always been.

Following her resignation, a Downing St spokesperson confirmed Ms Gray is to take up a new role as the PM’s envoy for nations and regions.

But the move has already courted controversy among in Wales, with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth describing thr appointment as ‘insulting’.

Reacting to the news on Twitter, Iopwerth said: ‘Three months into Keir Starmer’s premiership, it’s clear he cares little about Wales.

‘Labour promised change, but removing Tory chaos and replacing it with a different kind of Labour chaos still means chaos.

‘Appointing an Envoy for the Nations and Regions smacks of a Prime Minister determined to concentrate his efforts on London and the south east, leaving the rest to the odd visit and photo-op by a senior official whenever it’s electorally convenient.

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