Conservative members of parliament have expressed outrage at the government’s announcement that Sue Gray, the civil servant who led the investigation into Boris Johnson’s lockdown parties, has been offered a position as chief of staff to opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Former ministerial aide to Mr. Johnson, Alexander Stafford, stated that the appointment “fails the sniff test” and “undermines the civil service.” He added that an investigation should be conducted to determine when she first made contact with Sir Keir. In the meantime, former minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, a cabinet minister under Mr. Johnson, stated that Ms. Gray’s Partygate conclusions now appear to be “a left-wing conspiracy.”
The government confirmed on Thursday that Sue Gray has resigned from her position as a senior official at the department for levelling up and housing and hopes to assume the position of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, subject to the normal procedures.
Conservative lawmakers are outraged by the decision to appoint Sue Gray as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, as they believe it undermines her report and the impartiality of the Civil Service. Former ministerial aide to Boris Johnson, Alexander Stafford, believes it should be investigated when Ms. Gray first made contact with Sir Keir. Jacob Rees-Mogg, another former minister under Mr. Johnson, has called the Partygate findings a “left-wing conspiracy.”
The government confirmed on Thursday that Ms. Gray has resigned from her position as a senior official at the department for levelling up and housing to become Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. To the contrary, Conservative Members of Parliament are outraged that her appointment could compromise her report and the impartiality of the Civil Service. Alexander Stafford has demanded an investigation into when she first made contact with Sir Keir, while Jacob Rees-Mogg has called the Partygate findings a “left-wing conspiracy.”
Last year’s investigation into Boris Johnson’s lockdown parties by Sue Gray prompted a wave of resignations, which ultimately led to his removal as Prime Minister. Her appointment as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has raised questions regarding her objectivity and the objectivity of her report. The former prime minister’s supporters are now demanding an investigation into when she first contacted Sir Keir. In the meantime, Labour has stated that Ms. Gray hopes to accept the position “subject to standard procedures.”
