PM's ex-chief aide Sue Gray snubs first 'nations and regions' summit

Keir Starmer is holding a 'nations and regions' summit today - but without his ousted chief of staff Sue Gray as she is 'taking a break'.

Ms Gray dramatically left the top job last weekend after months of infighting as the PM switched her to be his envoy to the UK's devolved institutions. 

However, it has been confirmed that the former civil servant will not attend the gathering in Scotland this morning because she is 'taking a break'. 

Questions have been raised over whether she will ever assume the duties amid claims she is demanding a better severance package and salary. 

Asked in a round of interviews this morning why she Ms Gray was not going to the summit of UK regional and national leaders, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said she had 'been through a lot'.

'Sue has been through quite a lot in the last few weeks,' he said.

'I worked with her, she is a great colleague. She is taking a short break now and I think we should allow her the time in privacy to do that.'

The senior minister told LBC: 'I know that she has not enjoyed being a figure in the public eye unlike me, who can come on your programme and speak for myself and answer any of your questions.

'As an official, she can't do that. Given what she has been through in the last few weeks, she has decided to take a bit of downtime, take a bit of a break, and I quite understand why.'

Asked how long her break would be, Mr McFadden said: 'I don't think it will be long, but let's give her a bit of space and privacy after somebody who, as I said, can't speak up for themselves, finding themselves on the front pages of the newspapers in a way that she has not wanted to be.'

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster would not disclose if Ms Gray would continue being paid while she was taking time away from work.

On Monday, the PM's spokesman said Ms Gray would be responsible for 'ensuring collective working' between Whitehall, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well as promoting links with regional mayors.

'She will have a vital role in strengthening relations between the nations and regions,' the spokesman said.

Sir Keir is convening metro mayors and first ministers of devolved administrations for the first gathering of his Council of the Nations and Regions in Scotland.

He hailed the announcement of around £24billion in investment for green projects across Britain as a 'vote of confidence' in the UK ahead of the talks, which will focus on driving growth across different parts of the country.

However, rumours about Ms Gray could overshadow the proceedings.

The Cabinet Office had been expected to set out details of her new role at the start of the week, but they have not appeared.

Ms Gray is reportedly demanding a better severance package from her former £170,000 role and a better salary in her new job, according to the Guido Fawkes website.

Downing Street sources admitted there were 'things to work through' in deciding on the final details of Ms Gray's new role. 

Cabinet ministers have insisted there is a strong team inside Downing Street despite Ms Gray being replaced by former campaign manager Morgan McSweeney after weeks of leaks and hostile briefings against her.

Ms Gray, a former senior civil servant with decades of Whitehall experience, cited 'intense commentary about my position' that risked becoming a 'distraction' when she stood down.

Sir Keir will today meet first ministers, deputy ministers and regional mayors as part of an effort to 'rewire' the way the UK Government interacts with devolved powers and discuss how to boost business ahead of the International Investment Summit next week.

Labour leaders including Sadiq Khan welcomed the gathering, but SNP First Minister John Swinney vowed to use the meeting to talk about how to 'stop the austerity agenda.'

Ahead of the first council meeting, Downing Street announced around £24billion in private investment for Britain's clean power projects, including Iberdrola – one of Europe's biggest energy firms – doubling its backing from £12 billion to £24 billion through Scottish Power over the next four years.

Sir Keir said: 'Today's investments are a huge vote of confidence in this government and our relentless focus to drive growth across the UK.

'Whether you're in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England – we are creating the conditions for businesses to thrive, and our International Investment Summit will be a springboard for every part of the UK to be an engine of innovation and investment.

'Today I'm convening the first ever Council of Nations and Regions, because it is when we work together in the spirit of genuine partnership, that we can deliver the real change people want to see and improve opportunities for all.'

Mr Swinney said he would 'speak frankly about the big issues' north of the border, adding that 'I hope to persuade the Prime Minister of the transformative potential of public sector investment to stop the austerity agenda'.

Ahead the meeting, Sir Keir appointed Poppy Gustafsson, former head of cybersecurity firm Darktrace, to be his new 'investment minister' in a bid to demonstrate the Government's commitment to strengthening ties with business.

Downing Street said the PM is also asking ministers to review how their departments can support the Office for Investment, which is to be led by Ms Gustafsson - who will be handed a peerage.