Sue Gray ‘broke civil service code, says Government
F
ormer senior official Sue Gray broke Civil Service rules by taking part in discussions about a top job in the Labour Party, a Cabinet Office investigation has found.
The Partygate investigator did not declare meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in breach of the standards of behaviour set out for civil servants, according to the probe.
The Civil Service Code was “prima facie broken as a result of the undeclared contact”, Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin said in a written ministerial statement on Monday.
“I can now confirm that the Cabinet Office process looking into the circumstances leading up to Ms Gray’s resignation has been concluded,” he stated.
“As part of the process, Ms Gray was given the opportunity to make representations but chose not to do so.
“This process, led by the Civil Service, found that the Civil Service code was prima facie broken as a result of the undeclared contact between Ms Gray and the Leader of the Opposition.
“The rules and guidance that govern the conduct of civil servants are clear and transparent. It is deeply unfortunate that events have transpired in this way.”
Parliament’s appointments advisory physique has dominated Ms Gray can begin her new function as Sir Keir’s chief of employees in September, six months after quitting as a senior civil servant in March.
The anti-corruption watchdog stated it had seen “no evidence” that her resolution making or impartiality was “impaired” whereas serving in Whitehall.
Labour has stated Ms Gray had only one cellphone name with Sir Keir earlier than she resigned in March. The dialog didn’t relate to any authorities enterprise, the celebration stated.
However, some Tory MPs have expressed anger that she was provided a job within the Labour chief’s workplace, arguing it undermined the impartiality of her inquiry into lockdown-breaking events in Downing Street and throughout Whitehall.
Her report into Covid rule breaking prompted quite a few MPs to name for then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation.