Sue Gray in line for peerage as Keir Starmer hopes to stuff the Lords | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Keir Starmer is contemplating giving Sue Gray a spot within the House of Lords, it has been reported, after she turned down the supply of turning into the PM’s ‘envoy to the regions and nations’.

Last month it emerged that Sue Gray wouldn’t be taking on the submit, which the PM had supplied her as a comfort prize after she give up as Downing Street chief of workers amid infighting, briefings and turmoil.

However this night it seems she may very well be in line for a serious golden handshake, as Sir Keir is contemplating handing her a spot within the House of Lords.

The Financial Times experiences that Sir Keir is about to place a variety of Labour figures into the higher chamber, which is at present disproportionately filled with Tories.

The PM is taking a look at handing peerages to former MPs who stepped down from protected Labour seats on the election as a way to ‘make way for new party talent’.

They embrace Lyn Brown, Julie Elliott and Kevin Brennan.

Thangam Debbonaire, the previous shadow tradition secretary who misplaced her Bristol seat to the Greens, can also be in line for a political return by way of the Lords.

While the FT initially stated that Sue Gray had been on an early draft record of these set to seem on the New Years honours, authorities insiders had change into not sure about whether or not she’s going to make the ultimate reduce.

However in an replace shortly after, they clarified that the previous Chief of Staff remains to be in line for a peerage.

The LibDems may even get to nominate friends, after returning to the third largest celebration within the Commons.

While Rishi Sunak has not submitted his record but, however it may embrace Michael Gove, former chief whip Simon Hart, and former Scottish Secretary Alister Jack.

It’s additionally believed Rishi Sunak might break with custom by not appointing any celebration donors to the Lords, one thing inflicting concern in Tory excessive command as it could disincentivise future donations.

In November, a civil service ally of Ms Gray stated she had turned down the job supply of envoy to the areas and nations after having “taken time to think about it properly”.

They added: “Ultimately she’s decided she doesn’t want to do it.”

Appointing Sue Gray to the Lords may pour additional gas on the fireplace, coming shortly after Sir Keir confronted backlash for permitting sacked Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to depart from authorities with a £17,000 golden handshake of her personal.

Despite resigning after it was revealed she had a fraud offence previous to getting into politics, Ms Haigh will probably be entitled to a few month’s wage.

This comes despite Labour beforehand demanding a change to the foundations so ministers who go away workplace because of a scandal are not entitled to the taxpayer pay-out.

A Downing Street supply stated they don’t touch upon hypothesis round honours or peerages.