STARMER CHIEF SUE GRAY EXITS HIS 'SINKING SHIP'

SIR Keir Starmer has been plunged into crisis after his chief of staff quit amid a power battle.

- Michael Knowles

One top Tory said Sue Gray's exit "feels as if she's fleeing a sinking ship". The former leading civil servant was replaced by the PM's chief strategist Morgan McSweeney who is said to have repeatedly clashed with Ms Gray since Labour took power fewer than 100 days ago.

The departure is the latest blow to the party as it struggles to get to grips with being in office and a personal loss for the Prime Minister who had wooed her to join his administration.

Ms Gray said she had resigned fearing she would be a "distraction" to the Government, although insiders see her exit from the heart of No10 as the finale of a brief but bloody power struggle with Mr McSweeney.

Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick insisted: "Labour's Government is in chaos. Internally, it is ridden with scandal. Starmer has lost or been forced to kick out seven rebellious MPs. No10 has been beset by briefings and petty squabbles over who sits where and who controls the Prime Minister's diary.

"His special advisers are in open revolt over who gets paid what while Sue Gray banked more than the Prime Minister. Her resignation was no surprise. After months of infighting and a series of terrible decisions for the people of Britain, it feels as if she's fleeing a sinking ship."

Freefall

Mr Jenrick added: "Starmer has no national security adviser. He's had to replace his private secretary. And the Cabinet Secretary - the country's most senior civil servant - is rushing out the door. This is freefall."