Sue Gray is expected to begin her new job as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff in September. Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Sir Keir Starmer approached Sue Gray about her job four months before she left government service, official report says.
Akoba, Whitehall's watchdog, has allowed a party gate investigator to begin work as staff supervisor after a six-month deliberation period.
The body said it “shared some of the concerns” voiced by government departments about the potential risk to public service integrity, which represents her move to Labor.
However, a committee chaired by fellow Conservative Lord Pickles said it saw “no evidence” that her decision-making or impartiality was “impaired” while serving in Whitehall.
Government officials have urged Akoba to introduce a one-year waiting period amid anger over Ms Gray's move to join the Labor leader following Boris Johnson's investigation into Number 10 quarantine violations.
It was reported Friday that Oliver Dowden, Deputy Prime Minister, would release the results of an internal Cabinet review on Monday, which concluded that Ms Gray violated civil service code by speaking to Sir Keir when she was second. Permanent Secretary, Department of Excellence.
Akoba's decision means Ms. Gray can start working with Sir Keir in early September.
Sir Keir Starmer appreciated Akoba's decision to allow Sue Gray to work with him. Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The Labor leader said: “I am delighted that Sue Gray will join Labor as my Chief of Staff. Sue will lead our work in preparing a missionary Labor government.
“She has unrivaled government experience and is a very conscientious woman.
“If we are privileged enough to be elected, Sue will make sure we are able to take on case. I look forward to her launch.”
Union sources said that Ms. Gray officially accepted the job offer on Friday after retiring in March.
The report said Akoba “shared” concerns about the potential risk to public service integrity.
But it added: “No evidence was provided to the Committee that Ms Gray's decision-making or ability to remain impartial was impaired while she remained in her public service position.”
< p> The committee expressed “disappointment at the level of media briefings in relation to this statement.”
“Briefings of this kind, wherever they come from, are detrimental to a fair and confidential process,” the report says. Ms Gray said.
Ms Gray said Sir Keir raised the possibility of joining his team when he called her in late October 2022, according to the Acoba document.
“She said she might be open to that possibility if she leaves public service,” he added.
However, she informed the team that no official job offer was received until March 2, the day she quit.
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