Who is Sue Gray, Keir Starmer's top adviser?
Sue Gray, a former high-ranking civil servant known for her role in investigating the Partygate scandal, is once again in the spotlight due to the news that her salary exceeds that of her superior, the prime minister.
Ms. Gray's damning report on the gatherings that took place during lockdown at Downing Street led many Conservative MPs to urge Boris Johnson to step down, ultimately playing a significant role in his resignation in 2022.
When it was revealed the next year that Sir Keir Starmer had sought her guidance on helping Labour navigate the transition from being in opposition to taking on government responsibilities, several Conservative MPs were outraged and claimed it discredited her findings.
With Labour now in power at Number 10, the chief of staff has become one of the most influential figures in the government.
Ms. Gray has a diverse job that involves managing access to the prime minister and assisting in the implementation of government policies.
Since taking office at Downing Street alongside Sir Keir, she has faced unfavorable reports suggesting conflicts and disagreements with other high-ranking officials. This includes Labour's political strategy director, Morgan McSweeney, who was instrumental in shaping the party's election campaign, as well as Simon Case, the UK's leading civil servant.
The prime minister stated that the majority of the reports are highly inaccurate.
Ms. Gray stepped down from her position in the civil service in March 2023, but she had to hold off until September to start her new job with Labour. This delay was due to Acoba, the committee responsible for reviewing the appointments of former ministers and high-ranking officials, which advised a six-month waiting period.
The former Conservative administration claimed that she violated civil service regulations by not disclosing her communication with Labour about the job opportunity. However, Labour maintained that all procedures were properly adhered to and dismissed the accusation as a "political maneuver."
Ms. Gray had been a part of the civil service since the 1970s, giving her extensive knowledge of government operations. She was regarded as especially beneficial to Sir Keir, as well as to many members of his shadow cabinet, who had no prior experience in ministerial roles.
"Meet Sue: A Remarkable Woman's Story"
In his memoir, former Liberal Democrat minister David Laws shares that a colleague once told him, "It took me exactly two years to figure out who truly holds the power in Britain."
"The wonderful United Kingdom is primarily managed by a woman named Sue Gray, who is the head of ethics in the Cabinet Office. Without her approval, things simply don’t move forward."
Ms. Gray began her career in the civil service as soon as she finished school and gradually advanced to the Cabinet Office. There, for six years, she directed the government's Propriety and Ethics team, offering guidance to various departments on matters related to standards.
Polly Mackenzie, a former special adviser in the Cabinet Office, mentioned on the BBC's Profile program in 2017: "Sue has been around for such a long time that she’s aware of every mistake anyone has ever made."
Image credit: Sue Gray Report / Cabinet Office / PA Wire
An image published alongside the Partygate report shows Mr. Johnson at a gathering at 10 Downing Street.
In 2017, an inquiry led by Sue Gray resulted in the resignation of Damian Green, who was one of Theresa May's top ministers at the time. He was found to have provided "false" information regarding his awareness of allegations that pornography had been discovered on his office computer back in 2008.
She also looked into allegations of sexual misconduct against the minister made by journalist Kate Maltby, concluding that her accusations were "believable."
In an interview with the BBC, Ms. Maltby mentioned, "What struck me the most about Sue Gray was her genuine commitment to looking after those who made complaints... She was resolute in her intent to hear from junior staff and ensure that senior personnel were held accountable."
"I discovered that her sense of ethics was remarkably strong, in a way that is rarely encountered in Westminster."
Ms. Gray's understanding of ministers' personal interests is reportedly beneficial to prime ministers when they reorganize their teams.
Chris Cook, a former BBC journalist currently with the news site Tortoise, mentioned that one indication of an impending reshuffle would be the rearrangement of Sue Gray's office furniture.
After two decades, she departed from the Cabinet Office to take on a temporary role in the finance department of the Northern Ireland government.
When the position to head the Northern Ireland civil service opened up, she put in her application, but ultimately was not selected for the role.
Photo credit: PA Media
Ms. Gray has dedicated a significant portion of her career working in the government offices located in Whitehall.
In a rare move for someone who typically keeps to herself, she spoke with the BBC and expressed her feelings of "disappointment" about not landing the top position. She hinted that others might have viewed her as "too much of a challenger or a disruptor."
In 2021, she rejoined the Cabinet Office to oversee issues concerning the Union and constitutional matters.
While she dedicated most of her career to public service, in the late 1980s she took some time off to manage a pub called the Cove Bar, located near Newry in County Down, together with her husband, Bill Conlon, who is a country and western musician.
She shared with the BBC, "I really enjoyed it back then, but I wouldn't go through it again."
In 2021, Ms. Gray became a prominent figure when she was assigned to look into whether government officials adhered to Covid guidelines during the pandemic.
Her final report found that employees celebrated at Downing Street during the national lockdown, and this was allowed by their superiors.
She stated that numerous incidents "should not have been permitted," and that the former Prime Minister, Mr. Johnson, "must take responsibility."
