Former aide Sue Gray rejects Keir Starmer’s job offer

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Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Sue Gray has rejected an offer to become his envoy for the regions and nations, her allies have told the Financial Times.

Gray quit as the prime minister’s most powerful aide more than five weeks ago following an intense period of negative headlines and criticism of her performance, amid a power struggle at the centre of the Labour administration.

Downing Street said last month that she would take up a part-time role as a link between Starmer and the leaders of the UK’s devolved nations and regions instead.

However, friends said she had not resolved whether to accept the alternative position and wanted time to consider the proposal.

On Tuesday, her allies told the FT that she has rejected the offer. “Sue has taken a decision not to take the role. She’s going to focus on other things,” one said.

The person added: “She’s taken time to think about it properly, talking to stakeholders, but ultimately she’s decided she doesn’t want to do it.”