Sir Keir Starmer has reorganised his Number 10 team following the resignation of Sue Gray as chief of staff. Gray, who stepped down on Sunday, cited concerns that ongoing speculation regarding her role had become a distraction. Her resignation comes just under 100 days since Labour’s electoral victory, with Parliament set to reconvene after a recess filled with controversies surrounding her salary and ministerial perks.
Gray will now take on a new role, working with the Prime Minister alongside leaders of devolved nations and regional mayors. Morgan McSweeney, who led Labour’s successful election campaign, will step into the role of chief of staff.
Two key appointments have been made alongside McSweeney’s new position. Vidhya Alakeson, the political director at Number 10, and Jill Cuthbertson, a former director of government relations under Downing Street, will both serve as deputy chiefs of staff. Additionally, James Lyons, a former journalist who joins from TikTok, will head up a newly-formed strategic communications team. Nin Pandit, previously in charge of the Downing Street policy unit, has been named the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary.
In her resignation statement, Gray noted the growing commentary surrounding her position and the risk of it diverting attention away from the government’s important work. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as chief of staff and pledged her continued support in her new role. “I am deeply committed to serving this government in any capacity necessary,” Gray said.
Sir Keir expressed his thanks for Gray’s contributions, acknowledging her pivotal role in strengthening the government’s relationships with regions and devolved nations. He also emphasised the importance of her new role in continuing to foster these connections.
Gray, who became well known for her investigation into the ‘partygate’ scandal in 2021, joined Starmer’s team in 2023. Since Labour’s electoral success in July, there have been reports of internal tensions and leaks regarding her salary, which ultimately led to her resignation.
The Conservative Party seized on the news, labelling it evidence of chaos within the Labour government. Leadership contenders from the opposition criticised Starmer’s handling of the situation, raising concerns about the stability of his administration.
Despite these challenges, Starmer remains committed to leading his government as Parliament returns to session, determined to navigate the changes within his team.
Gray will now serve as the Prime Minister’s envoy for regions and nations, continuing to play a key role in the government, albeit in a different capacity.
