The 100-Year Life Health Education and Government
Sue Gray has resigned as chief of staff to the prime minister after three months in Downing Street, following a succession of damning stories and reports of an internal power struggle. Gray has been replaced by Morgan McSweeney, who was Keir Starmer’s campaign director. It has been widely reported – and denied – that the two have been at odds since Labour’s election win in July. One source said: “In the battle between Sue Gray and Morgan McSweeney, Morgan wins.” Gray has been made Starmer’s envoy for the regions and nations. Her time as Starmer’s chief of staff has been controversial since she quit the civil service to join Labour’s top team in 2023, after leading the inquiry into the Partygate scandal in 2022. Last month, the BBC reported that her salary (£170,000) was higher than the prime minister’s.
Gray said: “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.”
Her departure and McSweeney’s promotion are part of a series of appointments the Prime Minister has made before reaching his first 100 days in office.
Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson have been promoted to Deputy Chiefs of Staff.
Alakeson moves up from political director, while Cuthbertson was director of government relations and previously worked for Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband.
Nin Pandit has been appointed PPS to the Prime Minister, filling a vital role that had been left vacant since Starmer took the keys to Number 10. She has been director of the Downing Street Policy Unit from November 2022.
Former journalist James Lyons is joining the team to head up a new strategic communications team.
