SIR Keir Starmer’s top aide Sue Gray has dramatically quit as chief of staff after finding herself in the eye of a political storm.
Ms Gray said she didn’t want to become a “distraction” and will now serve as the Prime Minister’s envoy for the regions and nations.
Her departure follows weeks of hostile briefings targeting her alleged micromanagement style, Labour’s perceived lack of readiness for Government, and her inability to prevent or manage the donations row.
The pressure on Ms Gray intensified last month when details of her £170,000 salary were leaked to the press.
The former Whitehall propriety and ethics chief said in a statement: “After leading the Labour party’s preparation for government and kickstarting work on our programme for change, I am looking forward to drawing on my experience to support the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to help deliver the government’s objectives across the nations and regions of the UK.
Ms Gray added: “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.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I want to thank Sue 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.”
The PM moved quickly to shore up his Downing Street team, announcing a series of new appointments to reinforce his leadership and stabilise his operation.
Election chief Morgan McSweeney will replace Ms Gray as his chief of staff, stepping up from his role as head of political strategy.
Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson have been promoted to Deputy Chiefs of Staff, while Nin Pandit has been appointed as parliamentary private secretary to the Prime Minister.
James Lyons will lead a new strategic communications team, joining from TikTok.
Her resignation comes in the wake of a briefing war against her with a Labour insider comparing her to “Darth Vader” from Star Wars.
Sue Gray’s departure is the result of “vicious Labour infighting”, a Conservative Party leadership hopeful has claimed.
Robert Jenrick said: “Fewer than 100 days in and this Labour Government is in complete disarray.
“(Sir Keir) Starmer is without a national security adviser, private secretary and the most senior civil servant has sped up his exit.
“Now, his handpicked chief of staff has been forced out by vicious Labour infighting. This Government is in free fall.”
A Conservative Party spokesperson 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 into deliver a programme for government and all we’ve seen in that time is a government of self-service. The only question that remains is who will run the country now?”
