Keir Starmer 'tried to get BBC to kill story on Sue Gray earning £3,000 more than him'

By KUMAIL JAFFER, SENIOR FOREIGN REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Keir Starmer asked his Cabinet secretary to stop the BBC running a story about his former top adviser earning more than him, it has been claimed. 

Simon Case spoke to the corporation's director-general Tim Davie and political editor Chris Mason last year after No 10 became aware the BBC was to report on Sue Gray receiving a pay rise that took her salary above the PM's.

It is understood Sir Keir's team did not want information about her pay – which was £170,000 a year, £3,000 above his – in the public domain.

They were also wary about the BBC publishing hostile and anonymous briefings about Ms Gray, then the No 10 Chief of Staff. 

Less than two weeks after the story ran, Ms Gray resigned from her role.

Mr Case, who quit his role in December, contacted Mr Mason and Mr Davie, who is also the BBC's Editor-in-Chief, according to The Sunday Times.

He asked the latter to consider the wider implications of the story and argued it crossed the line – suggesting it may discourage future involvement in public service for fear of intense media scrutiny.

The former Cabinet secretary – who stood down at the end of last year due to ill health – also claimed that details about Ms Gray's role in setting her own salary, including a report she had handed herself the increase, were inaccurate.

Keir Starmer (pictured) asked his Cabinet secretary to stop the BBC running a story about his former top adviser earning more than him, it has been claimed

Keir Starmer (pictured) asked his Cabinet secretary to stop the BBC running a story about his former top adviser earning more than him, it has been claimed

It is understood Sir Keir's team did not want information about Ms Gray's (pictured) pay – which was £170,000 a year, £3,000 above his – in the public domain

It is understood Sir Keir's team did not want information about Ms Gray's (pictured) pay – which was £170,000 a year, £3,000 above his – in the public domain

Ultimately, he did not stop the story, but warned that No 10 had deep reservations around it.

This move appeared to break precedent as it was unusual for a senior civil servant to be getting involved in a party political dispute. 

At the time, Ms Gray was subject to briefings against her from colleagues in No 10.

She later resigned after being in the role for only four months, citing the 'intense commentary' around her position risking becoming a 'distraction' to the Government. 

She now sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Gray of Tottenham.

The Cabinet secretary's involvement and discussions with the BBC director-general are usually rare. 

They tend to happen only when stories could have national security implications or harm UK personnel involved in military or intelligence activities.

Simon Case spoke to the corporation's director-general Tim Davie (pictured) and political editor Chris Mason last year after No 10 became aware the BBC was to report on Sue Gray receiving a pay rise that took her salary above the PM's

Simon Case spoke to the corporation's director-general Tim Davie (pictured) and political editor Chris Mason last year after No 10 became aware the BBC was to report on Sue Gray receiving a pay rise that took her salary above the PM's

Mr Case (pictured), who quit his role in December, contacted Mr Mason and Mr Davie, who is also the BBC¿s Editor-in-Chief, according to The Sunday Times

Mr Case (pictured), who quit his role in December, contacted Mr Mason and Mr Davie, who is also the BBC's Editor-in-Chief, according to The Sunday Times

Ms Gray – the chief investigator of Partygate, which played a huge role in Boris Johnson's downfall – has previously been accused of failing to be impartial herself when she was in the civil service.

Once she left the civil service in 2023, she took up a position as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition – which, at the time, was Sir Keir.

After resigning from No 10, it was suggested she would take up a role as envoy to the Council of the Nations and Regions. But a month later it emerged she was not going to take up the post.

The BBC declined to comment last night. The Cabinet Office was contacted for comment.

Sue GrayTim DavieBBCKeir Starmer

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