Sue Gray resigns as Keir Starmer's chief of staff after becoming a 'distraction'

She will be taking on a new Government role after resigning from her role as Downing Street chief of staff

Sue Gray has resigned as Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Number 10 has announced. The key figure in the Prime Minister's circle will take on a new Government role.

She is standing down after 'intense' news coverage of her was becoming a 'distraction'. In a statement, she said it had 'become clear' to her that 'intense commentary' around her position had become a 'distraction to the Government's vital work of change'.

Ms Gray has been at the centre of controversy since Labour was elected to Government. Last month, a row broke out after it emerged she was paid more than the PM.

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Figures in and around Government also gave highly negative briefings about her to the press, Mirror reports. It was a major talking point at the party's annual conference - which Ms Gray chose not to attend at the last minute.

Other stories have alleged that there are difficult relations between Ms Gray and director of political strategy Morgan McSweeney. There have also been suggestions of tensions between the chief of staff and special advisers.

Downing Street was at one point forced to deny there was a 'nest of vipers' behind the scenes in the Prime Minister's administration following reports of tensions involving senior officials. Ms Gray's name was thrown into the public eye when she headed an investigation into Partygate.

A row erupted when it came to light that she was going to work for Labour, with Boris Johnson turning on the former senor civil servant. No10 said she will now serve as the Mr Starmer's envoy for the regions and nations.

Mr McSweeney moves to Chief of Staff having served in No10 as chief adviser to the Prime Minister. In a written statement, Mr 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."

Ms Gray said: "I am pleased to have accepted a new role as the Prime Minister's envoy for the regions and nations. 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."