Gray rejects offer of envoy job in fresh blow to Starmer

Sue Gray has turned down Sir Keir Starmer's offer to become the prime minister's envoy for the nations and regions, No 10 said, in yet another blow to the prime minister as questions continue about his Downing Street operation.

- MILLIE COOKE DAVID MADDOX

Ms Gray resigned as chief of staff last month after losing a power struggle with election strategist Morgan McSweeney. It came as the prime minister attempted to reshuffle his top team of advisers following a dreadful start to his government, which has been plagued by infighting, a row over freebies and complaints that he is failing to get his message over on difficult policies like ditching winter fuel payments.

But The Independent understands that questions were being raised almost immediately after Sir Keir announced the job offer, which some have suggested was an attempt to appease a humiliated Ms Gray. But she failed to turn up at a nations and regions conference that same week and now appears to have rejected the role after months of speculation.