Sue Gray, formerly Keir Starmer's chief of staff in Downing Street, has described her brief three-month tenure in the role as "unbearable" and a "very, very, very difficult period." In her first interview since leaving the position, Gray spoke about intense internal briefing wars and expressed concern about the atmosphere within Number 10.
Gray recounted a fear that "someone was recording everything you say" in the office, which contrasted with her previous professional experience where she believed she could speak freely. These concerns were amplified by negative briefings against her, which she stated began during Labour's time in opposition and continued into government.
She indicated disappointment that more was not done to address these briefings, stating, "I talked to him [Sir Keir] a couple of times about it... But I was disappointed that not more was done because I think it could have been done." Gray also noted that Labour's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, had previously criticized a "boys club" culture in Number 10, characterized by "anonymous nasty briefings," particularly against women.
Gray's time in Downing Street was reportedly marked by tensions with other staff members, including Morgan McSweeney, who succeeded her as chief of staff. A leaked report suggesting Gray had attempted to move McSweeney was characterized by Gray as a misunderstanding, stemming from a practical need for a larger meeting room.
Prior to her role with Starmer, Gray was a long-serving civil servant, most notably leading the investigation into COVID-19 rule-breaking in Whitehall, an inquiry that brought her significant public attention. Her move from the Cabinet Office to join Labour's leadership team had previously raised questions about civil service impartiality.
Gray resigned from her position in October 2024, citing concerns that she was "becoming a distraction" to the government's work. She had initially been slated for a new role as 'envoy to the nations and regions,' but later decided against taking up the position. Subsequently, Gray entered the House of Lords as part of a new slate of Labour peers named by Starmer.