Sue Gray to be allowed to work for Sir Keir Starmer until general election

Former Cabinet dignitary Sue Gray was facing a two-year hiatus between roles. Photo: Aaron Chown/PA

Sue Gray will be allowed to work for Sir Keir Starmer until the next general election, a decision to be made by the commission.

Government advisers are said to have rejected calls for Ms Gray to was barred from serving as chief of staff to the Labor leader for more than a year while they prepare to publish the final decision.

The former Cabinet tangerine could face up to two years off between roles if the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) decides to make her wait the maximum amount of time.

However, The Times reported on Wednesday that the committee would instead recommend take just six months of gardening leave.

With the next election expected to take place next autumn, this will allow Ms Gray to be involved in Sir Keir and Labor's preparations for the next national poll.< /p>'Akoba Trial Continues'

Responding to a question about the reports, a spokesman for the prime minister told reporters, “I cannot comment on speculation. It is my understanding that the Acoba process is ongoing.”

Ms Gray declined to participate in a separate Cabinet investigation examining her transition to Sir Keir's chief of staff after more than two decades in Whitehall.< /p>

She was Second Permanent Secretary from May 2021 until March, when she resigned from civil service after talks between her and Labor were discovered.

Sky News subsequently reported that Sir Keir first contacted Mr. Joy Gray about the position in October last year, at least four months before the announcement of her appointment.

“The impartiality of the civil service is vital from a constitutional point of view”

Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden suggested that she may have violated the civil service code by holding such meetings.

“The impartiality and perceived impartiality of the civil service is constitutionally important to government conduct,” said Mr. Dowden.

«Ministers must be able to speak to their officers in a position of absolute confidence, so everyone in this House has a responsibility to preserve and maintain the impartiality of the Civil Service.»

Political Scandal around the appointment of Ms Gray has grown in prominence following her investigation into the anti-lockdown mass events in Downing Street and Whitehall during the pandemic that played a role in the political downfall of Boris Johnson.

Guto Harry, who worked as Johnson's political strategist at No. 10, claimed the former prime minister thought she was «lacking perspective» as her investigation expanded.

Labor declined to comment, while Cabinet and Acoba reached out for comments.