Sue Gray Quits As Keir Starmer's Chief Of Staff Amid Downing Street Chaos

Sue Gray, Starmer's chief of staff, has been criticised over her £170,000 salary.Sue Gray has dramatically resigned as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff.The announcement came following weeks of behind-the-scenes rows among the prime minister’s top team.She said recent speculation about her future had become “a distraction to the government’s vital work”.Gray will now take up a new role as Starmer’s envoy for nations and regions.In a statement, the PM 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.”Gray said: “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.“In addition to building a close partnership with devolved governments, I am delighted this new role will mean continuing to work alongside and support the prime minister, deputy prime minister, the cabinet and the mayors on English devolution.“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.”This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.Related...Keir Starmer's Popularity Plummets Amid Sue Gray And Freebies RowsKeir Starmer Forced To Declare He Is 'In Control' Despite Sue Gray And Freebies Rows

Sue Gray, Starmer's chief of staff, has been criticised over her £170,000 salary. Charles McQuillan via Getty Images Sue Gray has dramatically resigned as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff - sparking a major shake-up inside 10 Downing Street. The announcement came following weeks of behind-the-scenes rows among the prime minister’s top team.

She said recent speculation about her future had become “a distraction to the government’s vital work”. Advertisement Gray will now take up a new role as Starmer’s envoy for nations and regions. She is being replaced as chief of staff by Morgan McSweeney, seen by many as her arch-rival in No.

10, as part of a wider re-organisation inside No.10. In a statement, the PM 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.” Gray said: “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.

Advertisement “In addition to building a close partnership with devolved governments, I am delighted this new role will mean continuing to work alongside and support the prime minister, deputy prime minister, the cabinet and the mayors on English devolution. “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.” Related keir starmer Sue Gray Keir Starmer's Popularity Plummets Amid Sue Gray And Freebies Rows Keir Starmer Forced To Declare He Is 'In Control' Despite Sue Gray And Freebies Rows.