Official announcements from Downing Street or major UK news outlets

Sue Gray Resigns as Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff; Morgan McSweeney Appointed Successor

Oct 6, 2024, 12:01 PM

After less than 100 days in office, Downing Street Chief of Staff Sue Gray, former Partygate investigator, has resigned from her position and will take on a new role as the Prime Minister's envoy for nations and regions, Number 10 has announced. Gray stated that intense commentary around her position had become a distraction to the government's work, prompting her decision to step down. The resignation follows reports of an internal power struggle, which Gray is said to have lost, particularly over the appointment of the Principal Private Secretary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed gratitude for Gray's contributions, saying, '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.' Morgan McSweeney, who previously ran Starmer's election campaign and is a long-time political ally, has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff.