Sue Gray, Baroness Gray of Tottenham

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Right Honourable

| name = The Baroness Gray of Tottenham

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CBE}}

| office2 = Envoy to the Prime Minister for the Nations and Regions

| term_label2 = Designate

| primeminister2 = Keir Starmer

| predecessor2 = Office established

| successor2 = Office abolished

| term_start2 = 6 October 2024

| term_end2 = 18 November 2024

| office1 = Downing Street Chief of Staff

| primeminister1 = Keir Starmer

| term_start1 = 5 July 2024

| term_end1 = 6 October 2024

| predecessor1 = Liam Booth-Smith

| successor1 = Morgan McSweeney

| office3 = Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition

| leader3 = Keir Starmer

| term_start3 = 1 September 2023

| term_end3 = 5 July 2024

| predecessor3 = Sam White (2022)

| office4 = Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office

| term_start4 = 24 May 2021

| term_end4 = 2 March 2023

| predecessor4 = James Bowler

| successor4 = Michael Ellam (Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, European Union and International Economic Affairs)
Clara Swinson (Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Head of the Mission Delivery Unit)

| primeminister4 = Boris Johnson
Liz Truss
Rishi Sunak

| 1blankname4 = Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

| 1namedata4 = Michael Gove
Steve Barclay
Kit Malthouse
Nadhim Zahawi
Oliver Dowden

| office = Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal

| term_start = 11 February 2025
Life peerage

| image = Sue_Gray_(civil_servant)_official_portrait_(cropped).jpg

| caption = Official portrait, {{circa|2021}}

| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1957}}

| birth_place = London, England

| spouse = Bill Conlon

| occupation = Political adviser
former civil servant

| party = Labour (since 2023)

| website = {{URL|gov.uk/government/people/sue-gray|Government profile}}

| signature = Sue Gray signature.svg

| children = Liam Conlon

}}

Susan Ann Gray, Baroness Gray of Tottenham, {{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|CBE}} (born 1957) is a British special adviser and former civil servant who served as Downing Street Chief of Staff under Prime Minister Keir Starmer from July to October 2024,{{Cite web |title=Sue Gray - Downing Street Chief of Staff and former Partygate investigator - resigns |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/sue-gray-quit-resigns-downing-street-labour-politics-latest/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=LBC |language=en}} having previously served under Starmer as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition from 2023 to 2024.

She served from May 2021 to March 2023 as Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, where she reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Her report into the Partygate scandal criticised the government led by Boris Johnson and contributed to his resignation as Prime Minister in September 2022 and ultimately to leaving Parliament in June 2023.

She resigned from the Civil Service in March 2023 to take up a job as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer. Her appointment provoked substantial controversy, and a Cabinet Office inquiry found that she had broken the Civil Service code. She was subject to scrutiny by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), whose advice enabled her to work for the Labour Party from September 2023. When Starmer became Prime Minister following the 2024 General Election, Gray became his Downing Street Chief of Staff. Gray resigned after 4 months, citing the "intense commentary" around her position. Immediately after, her appointment as Envoy to the Prime Minister for the Nations and Regions was announced. In November 2024 it was confirmed Gray would not be assuming the role.

Early life and background

Born in north London in 1957,{{Cite web |first1=Catherine|last1=McGinty|date=2024-09-19 |title=Who is Sue Gray? Top Labour advisor with higher salary than Keir Starmer used to run Newry bar |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/who-is-sue-gray-top-labour-advisor-with-higher-salary-than-keir-starmer-used-to-run-newry-bar-4L5BKOLBGJB43DOOYCFYQKI6OI/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=The Irish News |language=en}} Gray is the daughter of Irish immigrants who moved to Tottenham in the early 1950s; her father was a furniture salesman and her mother a barmaid. She studied at a state-funded Roman Catholic school. Following her father's sudden death in 1975, Gray abandoned her plan of going to university and joined the Civil Service straight from school.{{cite news | work=The Times | url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/sue-gray-enforcer-who-ran-a-pub-and-married-a-country-singer-p78ft2qmm | title=Who is Sue Gray? The enforcer who ran a pub and married a country singer | date=21 January 2022 | access-date=26 January 2022 | first1=Esther | last1=Webber |first2=Shawn |last2=Pogatchnik}}{{cite web |title=Profile – Sue Gray |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0013qtg |website=Sounds |publisher=BBC |access-date=6 February 2022 }}{{cite web |title=Profile – Sue Gray |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b09gz5nz |website=Sounds |publisher=BBC |access-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113174712/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b09gz5nz |archive-date=2022-01-13}}{{cite news |title=Downing Street party: Who is Sue Gray and what is she investigating? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59979023 |access-date=6 February 2022 |work=BBC News |date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113133012/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59979023 |archive-date=January 13, 2022}}{{Cite news|last1=Wright|first1=Oliver|last2=Zeffman|first2=Henry|date=31 January 2022|title=Who is Sue Gray? The Whitehall insider ruling on Boris Johnson's parties |work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/who-is-sue-gray-the-whitehall-insider-ruling-on-boris-johnsons-parties-s35k2s2mg|url-access=subscription|access-date=31 January 2022|issn=0140-0460|quote=According to Peter Cardwell, a former special adviser to four cabinet ministers, some speculated that she was a spy but this is something Gray has always categorically denied.}}{{Cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Oliver |last2=Maguire |first2=Patrick |last3=Zeffman |first3=Henry |date=8 April 2021 |title=Boris Johnson brings in 'sleaze-buster' Sue Gray to tackle threat to the Union |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/johnson-brings-in-sleaze-buster-to-save-the-union-np9z8frg7 |access-date=9 April 2021}} Her mother committed suicide after her father's death.{{Cite news |last=Dunton |first=Jim |date=28 March 2025 |title=Sue Gray warns PM over civil service attacks and cuts |url=https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/sue-gray-warns-pm-over-civil-service-attacks-and-cuts |access-date=30 March 2025 |work=Civil Service World}}

Gray took a career break in the 1980s, a step described by journalist Sam McBride as "strikingly unorthodox".{{Cite news|date=24 January 2018|title='Secretive' top Whitehall official in surprise move to Belfast|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/secretive-senior-whitehall-official-astounding-power-surprise-move-belfast-120201|access-date=30 January 2022|work=i}} During this time, she ran the Cove Bar, a pub in Newry, a border town in Northern Ireland, during The Troubles, with her husband Bill Conlon, a country music singer from Portaferry, County Down.{{Cite news|date=20 May 2021|title=Sue Gray: Civil servant seen as 'too challenging' for top job |work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-57173404|access-date=30 January 2022}} Peter Cardwell, a former special adviser to several ministers, said it had been speculated Gray was a spy at this time, though Gray denied it. According to the Belfast Telegraph, her car was stopped one night by IRA paramilitaries who wanted to take it, only for her to be allowed to pass after a voice said "that's Sue Gray from The Cove, let her go on".{{Cite news |title=Senior civil servant Sue Gray probing Tories 'faced down IRA hijack bid' |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus/senior-civil-servant-sue-gray-probing-tories-faced-down-ira-hijack-bid/41246567.html |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0307-1235}}

The family returned to London in 1987. Gray has family connections to Northern Ireland and is reported to have a fondness for the region, which she visits with her husband.{{Cite news |last=Breen |first=Suzanne |date=25 January 2018 |title=NI-bound... the steely enforcer of Whitehall |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ni-bound-the-steely-enforcer-of-whitehall-36528088.html |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |date=24 December 2022 |title=Never again: bruised by investigating Partygate, Sue Gray is enjoying time out of the spotlight |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/24/sue-gray-partygate-never-again-spotlight |access-date=31 January 2023}} She has two sons, including Liam Conlon, who is the chair of the Labour Party Irish Society{{Cite news |title=Sue Gray officially accepts role as Labour Party's chief of staff |date= 2 March 2023 |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/sue-gray-officially-accepts-role-as-labour-partys-chief-of-staff/1763380927.html |access-date=2023-03-04 |issn=0307-1235}} and Member of Parliament for Beckenham and Penge.{{Cite news |last=Adu |first=Aletha |date=29 October 2023 |title=Sue Gray's son to run for winnable Labour seat |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/29/sue-gray-son-liam-conlon-to-run-for-winnable-labour-seat |access-date=29 October 2023}}

Career

=Cabinet Office=

File:Sue Gray (civil servant) official portrait 2014.jpg

Gray joined the Cabinet Office in the late 1990s, having previously worked at the departments of Health, Transport, and Work and Pensions. From 2012 she was director-general of the Propriety and Ethics team, and head of the Private Offices Group, directly under the Cabinet Secretary.{{Cite web |last=Cabinet Office |date=2010-09-13 |title=Cabinet Office Organisational Chart, July 2010 |url=http://download.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organogram/org-chart.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20120404150643/http://download.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organogram/org-chart.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-04 |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk}}{{cite web|title=Second Permanent Secretary to Cabinet Office – Sue Gray: biography|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/sue-gray|website=UK Government|access-date=7 February 2022}} This role gave her a wide-ranging remit over the operation of ministerial offices, public appointments, and government ethics. She frequently dealt with sensitive matters and 'crises' arising from the operation of government. As such, she was described in 2017 as "the woman who runs the country".{{cite web|last1=Harper|first1=Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Tom|title='Deputy God' Sue Gray rules on Damian Green's fate|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/deputy-god-sue-gray-rules-on-damian-greens-fate-njvvbsmvm|website=The Sunday Times|date=19 November 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=23 June 2021|title=Civil servant dubbed 'most powerful woman in Britain' drafted to help save the union|url=https://nation.cymru/news/civil-servant-dubbed-most-powerful-woman-in-britain-drafted-to-help-save-the-union/|date=8 April 2021|website=Nation.Cymru}}

She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2007 New Year Honours for services as Director, Propriety and Ethics, and Head of Management Unit for Private Offices, Cabinet Office.{{London Gazette|issue=58196|page=7|date=30 December 2006}}

In 2011, Gray advised Michael Gove that conducting government business via private e-mail accounts would make it exempt from transparency legislation. The following year, the Information Commissioner found this guidance to be incorrect and ruled that emails that pertained to departmental business would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act.{{Cite news |date=2012-03-02 |title=Michael Gove loses 'private email' battle |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-17235168 |access-date=2022-03-06}}

As part of her miscellaneous duties within the Cabinet Office, Gray was responsible for the 2010 reform of non-departmental public bodies.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/simon-carr/the-sketch-meet-silent-executioner-from-the-cabinet-office-6298200.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/simon-carr/the-sketch-meet-silent-executioner-from-the-cabinet-office-6298200.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The Sketch: Meet silent executioner from the Cabinet Office|last=Carr|first=Simon|date=2 February 2012|website=Independent}}

She conducted the Cabinet Office inquiry into the behaviour of Andrew Mitchell during the 'Plebgate' affair in 2012. Mitchell later resigned as Chief Whip.

She was responsible for the inquiry into the behaviour of Damian Green in 2017. Green, a close ally of the then prime minister, Theresa May, was First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office. He had been accused of sexual harassment and misusing office computers to view pornography. Green was sacked from his ministerial positions in December 2017, but resisted calls to stand down as an MP.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/who-is-sue-gray-the-woman-at-the-helm-of-the-damian-green-inquiry-a3725066.html|title=Sue Gray: Who is the woman at the helm of the Damian Green inquiry?|last=Proctor|first=Kate|date=21 December 2017|website=Evening Standard}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/sue-gray-the-ethics-chief-in-green-case-faced-removal-before-election-fm9t09kn6|title=Sue Gray, the ethics chief in Green case, faced removal before election|last1=Coates|first1=Sam|date=11 November 2017|website=The Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/01/whos-who-in-the-damian-green-inquiry-tory-mp-accused-of-inappropriate-behaviour-pornograph-computer|title=Who's who in the Damian Green inquiry|last1=Weaver|first1=Matthew|date=20 December 2017|website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|date=11 January 2022|title=Sue Gray: who is official tasked with investigating No 10 party claims?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/11/sue-gray-official-tasked-investigating-no-10-lockdown-party-claims-boris-johnson|access-date=14 January 2022|website=The Guardian}}

=Northern Ireland Executive=

In January 2018, the Northern Ireland Executive announced that Gray would transfer to the Northern Ireland Civil Service as Permanent secretary of the Department of Finance in the Northern Ireland Executive from May 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/civil-service-ethics-chief-sue-gray-moves-northern-ireland-finance-post|title=Civil service ethics chief Sue Gray moves to Northern Ireland finance post|date=24 January 2018|website=Civil Service World|access-date=27 April 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/news/new-permanent-secretary-roles-announced|title=New Permanent Secretary roles announced|date=24 January 2018|work=The Executive Office|access-date=27 April 2018}} In April 2018, it was announced that Gray had been replaced at the Cabinet Office by Helen MacNamara.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-director-general-of-the-propriety-and-ethics-team-helen-macnamara|title=New Director General of the Propriety and Ethics Team: Helen MacNamara|work=GOV.UK|publisher=Cabinet Office|date=18 April 2018}}

In 2020, Gray sought but failed to be appointed as the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and in a subsequent interview with the BBC said: "I suspect people may have thought that I perhaps was too much of a challenger, or a disrupter. I am both…"

=Return to the Cabinet Office=

In May 2021, Gray returned to Whitehall to become the Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, in charge of policy on the Union and the constitution. She reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; initially Michael Gove, who was replaced in September 2021 by Steve Barclay.

==Partygate==

Following press reports about gatherings and parties on government premises during restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2021 – a scandal which became widely known as "Partygate" – the Cabinet Secretary Simon Case initiated and led an investigation into the allegations. A few days later he recused himself when it became known that an event had been held in his own office,{{Cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-59701369|title= Top civil servant Simon Case quits No 10 party probe amid rule breach claims|date=17 December 2021|website=BBC News|access-date= 17 December 2021}} and subsequently Gray took over the investigation.

Whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson knew about and participated in gatherings at Downing Street is part of the investigation.{{Cite news |title=Cummings says PM was told No 10 party 'broke the rules' but said it should go ahead |last=Merrick |first=Rob |work=Independent |date=17 January 2022 |accessdate=19 January 2022|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/no-10-party-boris-johnson-lockdown-b1994817.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/no-10-party-boris-johnson-lockdown-b1994817.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sue-gray-report-reason-oust-boris-johnson-tory-mps-2022-1|title=Tory MPs look to Sue Gray partygate report for 'justification' for no-confidence letters in Boris Johnson|first=Catherine|last=Nellan|work=Business Insider|date=19 January 2021|accessdate=20 January 2021}} Gray's initial findings were published on 31 January 2022.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-60147988 "Johnson promises No 10 shake-up after Gray finds failures", BBC News, 31 January 2022]. Retrieved 31 January 2022 In the report, Gray condemned "a serious failure" in the standards of leadership, and stated that a string of gatherings were "difficult to justify" while millions were unable to meet their friends and relatives.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/31/uk/boris-johnson-sue-gray-report-gbr-intl/index.html|title=Boris Johnson condemned over 'failures of leadership' in 'Partygate' report|first1=Rob|last1=Picheta|first2=Ed|last2=Upright|work=CNN|date=31 January 2022|accessdate=31 January 2022}} Publication of the full report was postponed pending the completion of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. The police reported in May 2022 that their inquiries had resulted in 126 fixed penalty notices being issued.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61539326|first1=Christy|last1=Cooney|first2=Justin|last2=Parkinson|title=Deadline passes for officials set to be named by Sue Gray|date=22 May 2022|work=BBC News}} Gray's final report was delivered to Johnson on 25 May 2022{{cite news |title=Sue Gray report: Gray criticises No 10 leadership as party messages revealed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-61524198 |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=BBC News |date=25 May 2022}} and it was published later that morning.{{cite news |last1=Sparrow |first1=Andrew |title=Partygate live: Boris Johnson faces MPs as Sue Gray report shows alleged No 10 flat party never fully investigated |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2022/may/25/partygate-live-sue-gray-report-published-boris-johnson-downing-street-no-10-drinking?page=with:block-628e04398f08b48a6e743bc3#block-628e04398f08b48a6e743bc3 |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=25 May 2022}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-61578730 | title=Sue Gray report: Drunken No 10 party culture in lockdown laid bare | work=BBC News | date=25 May 2022 }} In a December 2022 article in The Guardian, Rajeev Syal wrote that friends of Gray reportedly said that she was "bruised" by the investigation.

= Departure from the Civil Service =

In March 2023, it was reported that Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and the Leader of the Opposition, was considering appointing Gray as his chief of staff.{{Cite news |last=Pike |first=Joe |date=1 March 2023 |title=Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer considering appointing Sue Gray as chief of staff |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/labours-sir-keir-starmer-considering-appointing-sue-gray-as-chief-of-staff-12823127 |access-date=1 March 2023}} Gray resigned from her post as Cabinet Office Second Permanent Secretary and left the Civil Service.{{Cite news |date=2023-03-02 |title=Partygate investigator Sue Gray quits civil service |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64824776 |access-date=2023-03-02}} Gray started her role as Starmer's chief of staff on 4 September 2023{{Cite web |title=Sue Gray quickly gets stuck in as Keir Starmer's chief of staff |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/09/sue-gray-first-week-starmer-chief-of-staff-labour |date=9 September 2023 |work=The Guardian}} and formally joined the Labour Party in November 2023.{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Alexandra |date=7 July 2024 |title=Who's who in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's inner circle |url=https://news.sky.com/story/whos-who-in-prime-minister-keir-starmers-inner-circle-13161878 |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=Sky News}}{{Cite news |last=Rodgers |first=Alexandra |date=4 November 2023 |title=Sue Gray's baptism of fire trying to fix Keir Starmer's ceasefire crisis |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sue-grays-baptism-of-fire-trying-to-fix-keir-starmers-ceasefire-crisis-12994135 |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=Sky News}}

Her appointment was subject to the approval of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and ultimately the then prime minister Rishi Sunak, who could have blocked the appointment.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Hugo Gye, Arj |date=2023-03-02 |title=Rishi Sunak could block civil servant Sue Gray from working for Keir Starmer |work=i |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/rishi-sunak-block-civil-servant-sue-gray-working-keir-starmer-2183104 |access-date=2023-03-02}} It was Gray's first party political role.{{Cite news |last=Langford |first=Eleanor |date=2023-03-02 |title='Partygate' civil servant Sue Gray resigns after being offered major job by Keir Starmer |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/sue-gray-resigns-partygate-report-civil-servant-job-keir-starmer-2183880 |access-date=2023-03-02 |work=i}}

Following her resignation and her prospective employment within the Labour Party, some Conservative MPs criticised Gray: MP Alex Stafford told the BBC that Gray's appointment "undermines the work that she's done and undermines the civil service." Nadine Dorries questioned her ability to act impartially in her role as author of the Partygate report.{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Andrew |title=Rishi Sunak says civil service must be 'impartial' amid row over Sue Gray's Labour job |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/rishi-sunak-civil-service-impartial-sue-gray-labour-job/ |access-date=5 March 2023 |work=POLITICO |date=3 March 2023}} By contrast former minister Francis Maude stated he had not the "slightest reason to question either her integrity or her political impartiality" and Bob Kerslake, former head of the civil service, stated he could not see a problem with the appointment given "the role is as much an organising one as a political one" and noted that Jonathan Powell and Ed Llewellyn, Tony Blair's and David Cameron's chiefs of staff respectively, were both previously employed in the civil service.{{cite news |title=Tory former minister defends Sue Gray's 'integrity' amid move to Labour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/04/tory-former-minister-defends-sue-grays-integrity-amid-move-to-labour |access-date=5 March 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=4 March 2023}}

In June 2023, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments recommended a six-month break from the date of Gray's resignation, meaning she could work for the Labour Party from September 2023.{{cite news |title= Sue Gray can start job with Labour from September |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66067865 |date=30 June 2023 |work=BBC News}} In July 2023, a Cabinet Office probe found that Gray had broken civil service code with regard to her talks with the Labour Party.{{cite news |title= Sue Gray broke Civil Service code by discussing a job with Labour, Cabinet Office probe finds |url= https://news.sky.com/story/sue-gray-broke-civil-service-code-by-discussing-a-job-with-labour-cabinet-office-probe-finds-12913803|date=3 July 2023|work=Sky News}}{{Cite news |date=2023-07-03 |title=Sue Gray broke civil service code over Labour job offer, inquiry finds |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66086668 |access-date=2023-07-03}}

= Downing Street Chief of Staff =

Following the Labour Party's victory in the 2024 general election and Keir Starmer's ascension to the office of Prime Minister, Gray became his Downing Street Chief of Staff.{{Cite news |date=7 July 2024 |title=Why Starmer's enforcer Sue Gray could come unstuck |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/07/starmers-enforcer-sue-gray/ |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=The Telegraph}}{{Cite news |last=Kuenssberg |first=Laura |author-link=Laura Kuenssberg |date=6 July 2024 |title=Inside Keir Starmer's preparations for power |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c725z55d75ko |access-date=7 July 2024 |work=BBC News}}

Rumours reported by The Guardian alleged that she adopted a "micromanagerial" leadership style with substantial control over ministerial and special adviser appointments, and had "extraordinary" control over access to Starmer and his agenda. But the allegations were contested, and emerged in the context of conflicting briefings from allies of Gray and Morgan McSweeney.{{cite web |last1=Adu |first1=Aletha |last2=Mason |first2=Rowena |last3=Courea |first3=Eleni |title='Look out for fireworks': power struggle rumours between No 10 big beasts persist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/16/no-10-power-struggle-rumours-sue-gray-morgan-mcsweeney |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 August 2024}}

She received a salary of £170,000, £3,000 more than the Prime Minister, and more than any cabinet minister.{{cite web |title=Keir Starmer's top aide Sue Gray paid more than the PM |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx247wkq137o |website=BBC News |access-date=18 September 2024}}

On 6 October 2024, Gray resigned as Downing Street Chief of Staff, citing the "intense commentary" around her position risking becoming a "distraction" to the government.{{Cite web |title=Politics latest: Sue Gray resigns as Downing Street chief of staff |url=https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-tory-conference-leadership-jenrick-badenoch-cleverly-tugendhat-12593360 |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Sky News |language=en}} Immediately after, her appointment as Envoy to the Prime Minister for the Nations and Regions was announced. In November 2024 it was confirmed Gray would not be assuming the role.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-12 |title=Is this the final chapter of the Sue Gray saga? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpdv6vg3y31o |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

=House of Lords=

In December 2024, it was announced that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had nominated Gray for a life peerage in the House of Lords, where she would sit as a member of the Labour Party.{{Cite news |last=Culbertson |first=Alix |date=20 December 2024 |title=Sue Gray, Sir Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, nominated for peerage |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sue-gray-sir-keir-starmers-former-chief-of-staff-nominated-for-life-peerage-13275872 |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=Sky News}}{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Sam |date=20 December 2024 |title=Sue Gray among 30 newly appointed Labour peers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln8z0jdz3o |access-date=21 December 2024 |work=BBC News}} She was created Baroness Gray of Tottenham, of Tottenham in the London Borough of Haringey on 4 February 2025.{{London Gazette|issue=64652|page=2337|date=10 February 2025}}

Gray delivered her maiden speech on 27 March 2025. In her speech, she reflected on her career in the Civil Service and paid tribute to several public figures, including former prime minister Theresa May, for their support. Gray also commented on Starmer's plans to cut the Civil Service, warning him to be "careful" in doing so and calling on politicians to stop using derogatory language against civil servants.{{Cite news |last=Diver |first=Tony |date=27 March 2025 |title=Stop attacking Civil Service, Baroness Gray warns Starmer in maiden speech |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/03/27/stop-attacking-civil-service-sue-gray-warns-starmer-lords/ |access-date=30 March 2025 |work=The Telegraph}}{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |date=27 March 2025 |title=Sue Gray warns No 10 to be careful about cuts to civil service |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/27/sue-gray-warns-no-10-to-be-careful-about-cuts-to-civil-service |access-date=30 March 2025 |work=The Guardian}}

Reputation

File:Sue Gray 2016.jpg

Gray has been portrayed as relatively unknown but once highly influential,{{Cite web |title=Profile: Sue Gray, civil servant – and "the most powerful woman in Britain" |last=Gimson |first=Andrew |work=Conservative Home |date=15 November 2017 |url= https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2017/11/profile-sue-gray-civil-servant-and-the-most-powerful-woman-in-britain.html}} and has been described as "an enigma".{{cite web|last1=Gordon|first1=Gareth|title=Sue Gray, NI's 'enigmatic' senior civil servant|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42911368|website=BBC News|date=1 February 2018}} In 2015, a profile{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Chris |title=The most powerful person you've never heard of |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-33431580 |access-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714051914/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-33431580 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |work=BBC News |date=10 July 2015 |quote=Policy editor, Newsnight}} by Chris Cook,{{cite web |title=Missing the Story: Chris Cook at The Cambridge Union |url=https://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/missing-the-story-chris-cook-at-the-cambridge-union/ |website=The Cambridge Student |access-date=6 February 2022 |date=19 November 2019}}{{cite news |title=Sue Gray, NI's 'enigmatic' senior civil servant |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-42911368 |access-date=6 February 2022 |work=BBC News |date=1 February 2018}} then policy editor for the BBC's Newsnight, said that she was "notorious… for her determination not to leave a document trail", had advised special advisers how to destroy emails through "double-deletion" and made at least six interventions "to tell departments to fight disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act".{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Chris|title=A powerful person who stays hidden|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33431580|website=BBC News|date=10 July 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Pittock |first1=Charlie |title=Sue Gray 'notorious' for 'determination not leave paper trail' before bombshell report |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1558775/sue-gray-report-news-boris-johnson-downing-street-parties-cabinet-office-spt |access-date=6 February 2022 |work=Express.co.uk |date=31 January 2022}}{{cite news |title=Sue Gray: Who is the civil servant investigating Downing Street lockdown parties? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-59966480 |access-date=21 January 2022 |work=BBC News |date=12 January 2022}} She was described by former prime minister Gordon Brown, in his memoir, as someone who could be counted on for "wise advice when – as all too regularly happened – mini-crises and crises befell".

Rajeev Syal in The Guardian described her as "an uncompromising operator".{{Cite web|date=13 January 2022|title=Sue Gray: head of No 10 party inquiry is an uncompromising operator|last=Syal|first=Rajeev|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/13/sue-gray-head-of-no-10-party-inquiry-is-an-uncompromising-operator|website=The Guardian}} Political journalist Andrew Gimson wrote: "All power to the Civil Service is her modus operandi. She owes her allegiance to the permanent government and the deep state." Former cabinet minister Oliver Letwin wrote of her: "Unless she agrees, things just don't happen. Cabinet reshuffles, departmental reorganizations, the whole lot – it's all down to Sue Gray".{{cite web | website=Politico | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sue-gray-boris-johnson-coronavirus-office-party-downing-street/ | title=The time Sue Gray fired me | first=Ryan | last=Heath | date=24 January 2022 | accessdate=26 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=Sue Gray: the woman who could bring down Boris Johnson |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/01/sue-gray-the-woman-who-could-bring-down-boris-johnson |website=New Statesman |access-date=6 February 2022 |date=14 January 2022}}

In 2023, after her appointment as Starmer's chief of staff was announced, Gray was named seventh in a list drawn up by the New Statesman, of "most influential" people "shaping Britain's progressive politics" and having "some affiliation with the Left".{{Cite web |last=Statesman |first=New |date=2023-05-17 |title=The New Statesman's left power list |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2023/05/the-new-statesmans-left-power-list |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}}

References

External links

{{wikisource author-inline}}
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[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09gz5nz Sue Gray] – Edition of Profile on BBC Radio 4
[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1078404/2022-05-25_FINAL_FINDINGS_OF_SECOND_PERMANENT_SECRETARY_INTO_ALLEGED_GATHERINGS.pdf Findings of Second Permanent Secretary's Investigation into Alleged Gatherings on Government Premises during Covid Restrictions, 25 May 2022]

{{S-ttl | title = Director General,
Propriety and Ethics | years = 2012–2018 }}

{{S-ttl | title = Permanent Secretary,
Department of Finance,
Northern Ireland Executive | years = 2018–2021 }}

{{S-ttl | title = Second Permanent Secretary,
Cabinet Office | years = 2021–2023 }}

Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth uncertain

Category:21st-century British civil servants

Category:English people of Irish descent

Category:Civil servants in the Cabinet Office

Category:British publicans

Category:Civil servants from London

Category:British Permanent Secretaries