Sue Gray resigns as Downing Street chief of staff as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announces new roles

Sue Gray has resigned from her position as Downing Street chief of staff and will take on a new Government role, Number 10 announced on Sunday.

The news comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he has made five changes to his top team to 'strengthen Downing Street operation ahead of marking first 100 days in office'.

Sir Keir's chief adviser and former Labour general election campaign director, Morgan McSweeney, will replace Ms Gray as Downing Street chief of staff.

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Ms Gray said she was standing down because it had “become clear to me that intense commentary around my position risked becoming a distraction to the government’s vital work of change”.

In a written statement, Sir Keir Starmer said: “I want to thank Sue for all the support she has given me, both in opposition and government, and her work to prepare us for government and get us started on our programme of change. Sue has played a vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations. I am delighted that she will continue to support that work.”

Ms Gray said she had accepted a new role as the Prime Minister's envoy for the regions and nations.

She said: "After leading the Labour party’s preparation for government and kickstarting work on our programme for change, I am looking forward to drawing on my experience to support the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to help deliver the government’s objectives across the nations and regions of the UK. In addition to building a close partnership with devolved governments, I am delighted this new role will mean continuing to work alongside and support the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Mayors on English devolution.

"It has been an honour to take on the role of Chief of Staff, and to play my part in the delivery of a Labour government. Throughout my career my first interest has always been public service. However in recent weeks it has become clear to me that intense commentary around my position risked becoming a distraction to the government’s vital work of change. It is for that reason I have chosen to stand aside, and I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minister in my new role."

As well as Mr McSweeney’s move to chief of staff, political director at Number 10 Vidhya Alakeson and director of government relations Jill Cuthbertson have been promoted to deputy chiefs of staff.

Nin Pandit, director of the Downing Street Policy Unit, has been appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the PM.

And former journalist James Lyons will join to head up a new strategic communications team, Downing Street said.