Starmer’s Attempt to Block BBC Report on Sue Gray’s Salary Sparks Controversy

[Social Media]

 

Sir Keir Starmer personally intervened to prevent the BBC from reporting that his chief of staff, Sue Gray, was earning more than him, enlisting the help of Britain’s most senior civil servant, Simon Case. The cabinet secretary contacted both the BBC’s director-general, Tim Davie, and political editor, Chris Mason, urging them to reconsider broadcasting details about Gray’s pay rise.  

 

 

The controversy arose when the BBC informed Downing Street that it was preparing to reveal that Gray had secured a salary increase to £170,000—£3,000 more than Starmer himself earns as prime minister. Starmer and his team were determined to keep this information from the public, believing it would set a dangerous precedent. They also rejected claims that Gray had orchestrated her own pay raise and viewed the report as a hostile and anonymous attack on a respected civil servant who had previously authored the partygate report.  

 

 

Case’s direct intervention was notable, as such high-level conversations between government officials and the BBC are typically reserved for matters of national security or situations that could endanger UK personnel. While he stopped short of explicitly telling the BBC not to run the story, he emphasized concerns over its wider implications. He argued that exposing Gray’s exact salary would cross a line and warned that excessive media scrutiny of public servants could deter talented individuals from taking on senior roles in government and broadcasting.  

 

Although government salaries for special advisers are published in pay bands annually, the precise disclosure of Gray’s earnings was unusual. Starmer’s aides were also growing increasingly frustrated with what they saw as sarcastic and aggressive anonymous briefings against Gray from within Downing Street, some of which were leaked to the BBC. One insider even mocked Gray’s role in preparing Labour for government, quipping, “If you ever see any evidence of our preparation for government, please let me know.”  

 

 

Despite these efforts, the BBC proceeded with the story on September 18. Mason later defended the corporation’s decision, citing the public interest in transparency and accountability. The fallout was swift, fueling accusations of dysfunction within Starmer’s administration. The controversy forced Starmer to insist that he remained "completely in control" of his government, but the damage was done.  

 

The situation became so toxic that Gray was absent from the Labour Party conference the following week. A little more than two weeks later, she was dismissed, marking a dramatic end to her tenure as Starmer’s chief of staff. The incident has raised serious questions about Labour’s internal cohesion and the prime minister’s ability to manage his top team in the early days of his administration.

 

Based on a report by Sunday Times 2025-02-10

 

 

[klauskunkel]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

He argued that scrutiny of public servants could deter talented individuals from taking on senior roles in government

New BBC TV Show: Government Got Talent hosted by Jeremy Clarkson

[Watawattana]

22 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

New BBC TV Show: Government Got Talent hosted by Jeremy Clarkson

Would be a shorter show than a Wile E Coyote cartoon. 😂

 

Ooh...  Just started wondering what cartoon best matches the UK Government...

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

New BBC TV Show: Government Got Talent hosted by Jeremy Clarkson

If only it were true and about to air!