Government puts inquiry into Sue Gray departure on hold

 

Government puts inquiry into Sue Gray departure on hold

 

Cabinet Office says investigation paused until after watchdog decides whether to delay start of job with Keir Starmer

 

Pippa Crerar Political editor

@PippaCrerar

Tue 2 May 2023 18.04 BST

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/02/government-puts-inquiry-into-sue-gray-departure-on-hold

 

The government has paused an internal inquiry into Sue Gray’s departure from Whitehall which was widely expected to have concluded that she had broken the civil service code.

 

In a written statement, the Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said the former senior official had not engaged with the investigation into her departure so it would be suspended while the government considered “next steps”.

 

The potentially explosive report was now not expected to be published until after the government’s appointments watchdog decided whether to delay Gray’s start date as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff.

 

Whitehall insiders said the Cabinet Office’s decision follows 24 hours of intense negotiations over the timing of the report’s release between the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, who had initially wanted it published but then changed his mind, and Tory ministers.

 

They claimed Case, who has faced criticism for his involvement in a series of crises including the Partygate scandal and Richard Sharp’s resignation as BBC chair, had “over-reached” by initially allowing plans for the publication of the findings to go ahead.

 

An interim report, which ministers are understood to have wanted to be made public, was said to have concluded that she breached the rules by holding talks with Labour about the new role without informing civil service bosses in advance.

 

Sources suggested that, despite originally backing publication, Case had become uncomfortable that a senior official could face such an investigation after they had already left the civil service, with the Cabinet Office so far unable to explain under what process the inquiry took place.

 

Senior civil servants were also said to have been concerned about releasing such a politically charged report just days before the local elections, potentially in breach of purdah rules, and the wider implications of publicly discussing the confidential details of a former employee.

 

Allies of Gray said the investigation, which they claim was politically motivated as she had not worked in a sensitive role for five years, was designed to put pressure on the advisory committee on business appointments (Acoba) to delay her start date.

 

While the report into Gray’s departure is separate from the Acoba deliberations, it is still due to be submitted as evidence. The body can suggest cooling-off periods of between three months and two years for senior ex-ministers or civil servants who want to take up new jobs, to minimise concerns over conflicts of interest.

 

Whitehall insiders believe the outcome of the internal investigation was intended to influence Acoba over whether there had been a perceived conflict of interest, as opposed to an actual one.

 

After its own process is completed, Acoba will share its recommendation with Rishi Sunak, who will make a final ruling, but the prime minister does not have the power to block an appointment. He is also likely to take advice from Case at this stage.