Sue Gray to miss first key summit in new role

Sue Gray will not attend the prime minister's council of nations and regions on Friday despite her new title as a special envoy.

Sir Keir Starmer will meet with leaders of the devolved nations for a summit that will focus on spreading investment and growth across all parts of the UK.

Ms Gray, who resigned following a bitter power struggle in Number 10, was appointed as Sir Keir's envoy for the nations and regions after Morgan McSweeney, the party's former campaign director, replaced her in the role.

In her advisory role Ms Gray will support Sir Keir and the cabinet in delivering on its devolution agenda.

However, it is understood that despite her remit as the nations and regions envoy, she will not attend the special summit in Scotland because she is taking a short break between roles.

The absence of Ms Gray at the summit rounds off a tumultuous week for the former partygate investigator who resigned as Downing Street chief of staff after just three months.

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Ms Gray said that while it had been "an honour to take on the role of chief of staff", it had become clear that "intense commentary around my position risked becoming a distraction to the government's vital work of change".

"It is for that reason I have chosen to stand aside, and I look forward to continuing to support the prime minister in my new role."

Ms Gray's resignation follows weeks of speculation about her role and reports of a power struggle at the heart of government.

Tensions over Ms Gray's role reached a crescendo when her salary of £170,000 - £3,000 more than the prime minister - was leaked to the BBC in an apparent attempt to damage her politically.

The broadcaster also reported more junior staff were disgruntled they were not being paid more than what they received when Labour was in opposition - despite now occupying more senior government roles.

Alongside Mr McSweeney's appointment as chief of staff - a role he previously held when the party was in opposition - Sir Keir also announced a shake-up of his entire Downing Street operation following disquiet at how the party handled rows over freebies and donations, as well as its decision to axe winter fuel payments for most pensioners.

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Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson have been promoted to deputy chiefs of staff, while Nin Pandit has been appointed as Sir Keir's principal private secretary.

Meanwhile, former journalist James Lyons will join from TikTok to lead a new strategic communications team.

The prime minister said he was "really pleased to be able to bring in such talented and experienced individuals into my team".

"This shows my absolute determination to deliver the change the country voted for," he added.