Sue Gray, former civil servant turned Labour's chief of staff, has become the center of controversy due to her £170,000 annual salary, which exceeds that of Prime Minister Keir Starmer by £3,000. This revelation has sparked criticism from former special advisors who worked with Gray during her time in government.
One ex-Number 10 special advisor described the situation as "a combination of hypocrisy, naivete and arrogance." They expressed surprise at Labour's apparent lack of foresight regarding the scrutiny they would face after criticizing the previous government for perceived financial impropriety.
Gray's background in civil service spans several decades, having joined in the 1970s. From 2012 to 2018, she served as director general of the Propriety and Ethics team in the Cabinet Office, overseeing standards in public life. Her role in high-profile investigations, including the "Plebgate" affair in 2012 and the inquiry into Damian Green's conduct in 2017, established her reputation as a guardian of governmental ethics.
The "partygate" investigation, which Gray led in 2022, significantly impacted Boris Johnson's premiership. Her initial findings were published on January 31, 2022, with the full report following in May after a Metropolitan Police investigation.
In March 2023, Gray resigned from the Cabinet Office, and by September, she had been appointed as Starmer's chief of staff. This transition from civil service to a political role has raised questions about her impartiality and judgment.
Critics argue that Gray's current salary and position contradict her previous stance on government ethics. A former special advisor recalled negotiating their salary with Gray, stating, "We were told that the government should be whiter than white and it was a privilege to do the job and you don't do it for the money."
The controversy extends beyond Gray's salary to include gifts and freebies accepted by Labour front bench members. While no rules have been broken, questions of public perception and political judgment persist. Starmer has since announced that neither he nor key members of his team would accept further gifts of clothing.
"I'm not going to talk about individual salaries for any member of staff. I'm the person who runs the government. I'm the person that takes the decisions and I'm the person that takes responsibility for those decisions."
Gray's son, Liam Conlon, is now a Labour MP, further intertwining her personal and political connections. This familial link adds another layer to the ongoing debate about her role and influence within the party.
The situation highlights the challenges of transitioning from a non-partisan civil service role to a high-profile political position. As one former advisor noted, "When people are not inherently political, they don't make the best political decisions."
As Labour prepares for the possibility of forming the next government, Gray's role and the controversies surrounding her appointment continue to be a topic of discussion. The party, which has been out of power since 2010, faces scrutiny over its adherence to the same standards it demanded of its predecessors.
The ongoing debate surrounding Gray's appointment and salary serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between civil service impartiality and political roles in British governance. As the Labour Party moves forward, it will need to address these concerns to maintain public trust and credibility.