Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly poised to withdraw the job offer made to his former chief of staff, Sue Gray, amid growing concerns over the specifics of her proposed role as the government’s nations and regions envoy. Sources close to the situation suggest that Starmer may rescind the offer before Gray even has a chance to take up the position, which she was slated to begin following a brief break after stepping down from her role as chief of staff nearly six weeks ago.
The potential U-turn comes as questions mount over the extent of Gray’s power and influence in the newly created envoy role. Insiders have expressed doubts about whether she would have sufficient access to the Prime Minister to effectively carry out her duties, while others worry that the media attention surrounding Gray could hinder her ability to work behind the scenes as intended.
A Peerage in the Works?
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her envoy position, sources have indicated that Starmer may still follow through on plans to grant Gray a peerage. This would provide her with a platform to advocate for issues close to her heart, such as devolution, from the House of Lords. The move could be seen as a way to keep Gray within the Prime Minister’s orbit while sidestepping the potential pitfalls of her proposed government role.
Allies Claim Gray Has Rejected Offer
As speculation swirls around Gray’s future, some of her allies have come forward to claim that she has preemptively rejected the Prime Minister’s offer. According to one source, Gray has “taken time to think about it properly, talking to stakeholders,” but ultimately decided against accepting the envoy role. Instead, she is said to be focusing on “other things” moving forward.
“Sue has taken a decision not to take the role. She’s going to focus on other things.”
– Ally of Sue Gray
A Tumultuous Transition
Gray’s resignation as chief of staff came amidst a political storm that had overshadowed the early days of Starmer’s premiership. The Prime Minister had faced intense pressure to reshuffle his top team in an effort to quell the hostile briefings that had, at times, eclipsed his first 100 days in office. Gray, a veteran civil servant who rose to prominence during the Partygate scandal under Boris Johnson, was replaced by Morgan McSweeney, the architect of Labour’s general election victory.
The shake-up was intended to reset relationships and refocus the government’s agenda on delivering growth and change across the UK. However, Gray’s absence at Starmer’s inaugural gathering of the council of nations and regions raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about her role moving forward.
An Uncertain Future
As the Starmer government navigates the fallout from Gray’s potential exit, questions remain about the impact on the Prime Minister’s agenda and his ability to unite the nations and regions of the UK. With Gray’s decades of experience in Whitehall and her unique perspective on the inner workings of government, her absence could be keenly felt as Starmer seeks to deliver on his promises of change and renewal.
For now, all eyes will be on Downing Street as the Prime Minister weighs his options and decides the fate of his former chief of staff. Whether Gray ultimately takes up a role in the House of Lords or pursues other opportunities, her brief tenure at the heart of the Starmer government is likely to have a lasting impact on the political landscape of the UK.
