Former chief of staff No 10 Sue Gray will not attend Friday’s regional investment summit after recently becoming the prime minister’s special regional envoy.
The civil servant was appointed to the newly created position over the weekend after quitting his previous job amid infighting over his influence.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, one of the prime minister’s closest allies, said Mr Gray “doesn’t enjoy being in the public eye” and was taking a short break before taking up his new role. I made it.
Downing Street has not yet published details of Sir Keir Starmer’s responsibilities as the UK’s special envoy to countries and territories.
The First Minister will chair the first meeting of the new National Regional Council in Scotland on Friday.
At the Edinburgh summit, leaders of the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as UK regional leaders, will focus on ways to boost regional investment, ahead of next week’s major UK-hosted international investment summit.
Asked by LBC why Mr Gray would not be attending the summit, Mr McFadden said: “Unlike me, she will be able to appear on your show and talk about herself and answer your questions. “I know that unlike him, he doesn’t enjoy being in the public eye.” .
“As an officer, she can’t do that. Given what she’s been through in the last few weeks, she decided to take some time off and take some time off. I completely understand why.”
Asked how long Ms Gray’s leave would last, Ms McFadden said: “I don’t think it will be long, but like I said, I’ve found someone who can’t speak for herself and I want her to have a little bit of space and a little bit of space.” Let me give you some privacy.” She ended up on the front page of the newspaper in a way she never wanted. ”
A No 10 spokesperson said Friday’s National Regional Council meeting was “in no way part of our involvement” and insisted Mr Gray would have a “huge role” going forward.
Ms Gray, a Whitehall veteran who became famous for leading the government’s internal inquiry into the Partygate scandal, stepped down as Lord Keir’s chief of staff on Sunday after just three months in the role.
She has been the subject of negative press alleging clashes with other senior officials and was involved in a spat over the compensation of her No. 10 adviser.
Gray will be replaced by Morgan McSweeney, a long-time ally of Starmer’s party who is credited with being the mastermind behind Labor’s victory in July’s general election.
