Top civil servant Sue Gray faces ban from working with Labour ‘until AFTER the next election’
TOP civil servant Sue Gray faces a ban from working with Labour until after the next election, Government insiders claim.
Sir Keir Starmer had hoped to hire the former Whitehall enforcer to head up Labour’s efforts to “transition” into Government as his Chief of Staff.
But the shock appointment sparked uproar over claims the career mandarin had been secretly liaising with the Opposition while continuing to serve at the top of the Civil Service.
Ms Gray, who shot to fame as chief Partygate inquisitor, quit after news of her hiring leaked in March before her new job had been discussed with the Whitehall appointments body ACOBA.
Senior Whitehall figures believe the watchdog is poised to recommend a cooling-off period of up to two years given the sensitive role the mandarin played.
That will take her approved start date beyond the next General Election, expected to be held as soon as May or June next year.
Even if the election goes to the latest possible date in January 2025, a two-year ban would see her stuck out in the cold until March of that year.
Labour has denied talking with Ms Gray while she probed Boris Johnson and the lockdown gatherings.
But ministers ordered a formal Cabinet Office probe of her resignation.
Government sources have claimed the findings are likely to make “extremely uncomfortable reading” for Ms Gray.
Any recommendation from ACOBA on cooling-off periods is voluntary, but Sir Keir has vowed to follow them.
Last night, a senior Whitehall source told The Sun their recommendation “will be at the top end of the scale”.
Labour said it wouldn’t be commenting ahead of formal word from ACOBA.