Sue Gray rejects Keir Starmer's job offer after being removed as chief of staff
12 November 2024, 13:42 | Updated: 12 November 2024, 14:38
Sue Gray has rejected Keir Starmer's offer for a part-time job after she was removed as chief of staff.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Ms Gray was offered the role of Prime Minister’s envoy for the nations and regions but turned it down, it is understood.
The former chief of staff was said to be on a short break before taking up her new post, but the PM is now likely to rescind the job offer over concerns about what exactly the role would entail.
Downing Street had previously described her new role as a "vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations".
Ms Gray was appointed to the position after resigning from her former job following a power struggle in Number 10.
Read more: Sue Gray set to miss first key event in new role after being ousted in Downing Street power struggle
"Sue has taken a decision not to take the role. She's going to focus on other things," an ally of the ex-civil servant told the Financial Times.
They added: "She's taken time to think about it properly, talking to stakeholders, but ultimately she's decided she doesn't want to do it."
Sue Gray resignation - what does it mean for Number 10
Previously speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: "Sue's been through a lot recently. I've worked with her very closely and I know that she has not enjoyed being a figure in the public eye.
"Unlike me, who can come on your programme and speak for myself and answer any of your questions, as an official she can't do that.
"So given what she's been through in the last few weeks she has decided to take a bit of down time and take a bit of a break and I quite understand why."
When asked how long her break will be, Mr McFadden said: "I don’t think it will be long but let's give her a bit of space and privacy after somebody, who as I said cant speak for herself, finding herself on the front page of the newspapers in a way that she has not wanted to be."
Ms Gray led the Partygate investigation before joining Sir Keir's team ahead of the election in July.
She quit after less than 100 days of Labour in power, following "vicious Labour infighting", shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed at the time.
"(Sir Keir) Starmer is without a national security adviser, private secretary and the most senior civil servant has sped up his exit," he said.
"Now, his handpicked chief of staff has been forced out by vicious Labour infighting. This Government is in free fall."
Sir Keir made five changes to his team to "strengthen his Downing Street operation".
