Starmer Defends Gray's Salary, Vows No More Clothing Donations

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has firmly stated that the salary of his chief of staff, Sue Gray, should not be a matter of public discussion. This statement comes in response to the revelation that Gray's annual compensation of £170,000 exceeds the Prime Minister's own salary by £3,000.

During his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Starmer addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Gray's role and influence in Downing Street. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining the privacy of his staff members, regardless of their position.

"I'm not going to discuss individual members of staff, whoever they are. I don't believe that my staff should be the subject of public debate like this, and I'm not going to play any part in it."

The Prime Minister acknowledged the existence of a briefing war within No 10 and took personal responsibility for managing such situations. He reiterated his focus on delivering the changes promised to the electorate, a sentiment echoed by his Cabinet colleagues.

Gray, who previously led an inquiry into alleged lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street, has been absent from the recent Labour Party conference in Liverpool. However, she accompanied Starmer on his trip to the United Nations headquarters in New York, continuing her involvement in the Prime Minister's foreign engagements since his assumption of office.

Addressing questions about the government's decision-making process, Starmer highlighted the importance of strong Cabinet decisions. He openly admitted to having a close working relationship with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, emphasizing their shared strategy and approach as beneficial for the country.

The Prime Minister also defended his acceptance of £100,000 in freebies, including clothing and glasses from Lord Alli, a significant Labour Party donor. While acknowledging the fairness of questions regarding these gifts, Starmer provided context for accepting them during the busy election period.

"In the general election campaign, we're busy. Lots of people want to help and in this particular instance, well, 'I can help with sorting out some clothes'."

However, Starmer announced a change in his approach moving forward, stating that he would no longer accept donations for clothing. This decision reflects a shift in policy as he transitions from opposition to government leadership.

The Prime Minister also addressed concerns about potential influence-buying through donations. He emphasized the importance of proper declaration of all contributions and highlighted that many donors were motivated by a desire for a Labour government rather than seeking personal influence.

As the leader of the UK's government, based on the Westminster model, Starmer continues to navigate the complexities of political donations and public perception while focusing on his administration's goals and responsibilities.