Sue Gray is not going to take up job as PM’s areas chief regardless of beforehand accepting

Sue Gray will no longer take a job as the PM’s regions chief despite previously saying she had accepted the role, it has been reported.

Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff quit dramatically last month after admitting “intense coverage” about her had become a “distraction”. At the time Ms Gray said: “I am pleased to have accepted a new role as the Prime Minister’s envoy for the regions and nations.” But it is reported that she will no longer take the role.

Conflicting reports emerged on Tuesday about Ms Gray’s future in government, with some suggesting that Ms Gray had turned down the role, while others said Mr Starmer had withdrawn the offer from her. No10 has so far refused to be drawn on details about Ms Gray’s job, only insisting that she was on a “short break” between roles.

A government source told the FT: “Sue has taken a decision not to take the role. She’s going to focus on other things. She’s taken time to think about it properly, talking to stakeholders, but ultimately she’s decided she doesn’t want to do it.”

Meanwhile other reports suggested the PM is planning to withdraw the job offer from her. One government source told the Guardian: “Sue hasn’t been told for sure that the job is no longer on offer, but she has been warned that this is the direction of travel. The way some people are behaving towards her is really horrible.”

Ms Gray found herself at the centre of controversy since Labour was elected to government. In September a row broke out after it emerged she was paid more than the PM, with figures in and around government giving highly negative briefings about her to the press. It was a major talking point at the party’s annual conference – which Ms Gray notably chose not to attend at the last minute.

Other stories were reported around alleged difficult relations between Ms Gray and director of political strategy, Morgan McSweeney, as well as suggestions of tensions between the chief of staff and special advisers. Downing Street was at one point forced to deny there was a “nest of vipers” behind the scenes in Mr Starmer’s administration following reports of tensions involving senior officials. Mr McSweeney replaced Ms Gray as chief of staff after her departure.

Ms Gray’s name was thrown into the public’s eye when she headed an investigation into Partygate. A row erupted when it emerged she was going to work for Labour, with Boris Johnson turning on the former senior civil servant and claiming her report was biased.

In October, Mr 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.”