Sue Gray, Chief of Staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, resigned on Sunday following reports of internal conflicts within his team of advisers.
This comes just over three months after Starmer’s Labour Party secured a landslide election victory.
Gray, a former top civil servant, has been the focus of media leaks, including information about her salary, which led to criticism of her role in Starmer’s administration.
Some government officials, speaking anonymously, have blamed Gray for the prime minister’s challenging start in office.
In a statement, Gray explained her decision to step down, stating that her role in the recent weeks was “becoming a distraction from the government’s important work of change.”
Keir Starmer led the Labour Party to a major victory in July, promising reform and discipline after 14 years of Conservative rule. However, his government has already faced scrutiny, particularly over the issue of free gifts from wealthy donors that both Starmer and other Labour politicians received.
Starmer has since repaid the value of these gifts, but the revelations have caused political damage, especially as his government reduces financial support for energy bills for millions of pensioners.
The Prime Minister’s office confirmed that Gray would be taking on a new role as Starmer’s envoy for regional and national matters. Morgan McSweeney, who was previously the Prime Minister’s chief adviser, will replace Gray as Chief of Staff.
Sue Gray was originally hired by Starmer in 2023, when Labour was still in opposition. Her appointment attracted controversy, as she had led a 2022 government inquiry into parties held at Downing Street during Boris Johnson’s time as Prime Minister. Johnson resigned in 2023.
Starmer also announced additional changes to his advisory team, including the creation of a new strategic communications unit led by James Lyons, a former senior journalist with British newspapers.