All I can say is that Sue Gray is an outstanding public servant and I'm so proud of the work she has done, because I've seen it up close."
Throughout my career, my first interest has always been public service,
She had a lot of protection being a civil servant — but she has none of that now,
Three months into Keir Starmer's premiership, it's clear he cares little about Wales
Fewer than 100 days in and this Labour Government is in complete disarray
Who will run the country now?
Sue Gray was brought into deliver a programme for government and all we’ve seen in that time is a government of self-service,
Someone put it to me that you were once a spy.
I loved it at the time, [but] I'd never do it again.
It's a very sociable occupation, very hard work
I know you've had that put to you, um, and, er, I think if I was a spy I'd be a pretty poor spy!
In all honesty, the whole episode was something of a disaster,
The idea that they were spying is, in my view, for the birds
So after six to eight weeks it was making him a bit fed up, so I sent him back to London and I carried on running the bar on my own,
It is for that reason I have chosen to stand aside, and I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minister in my new role
In recent weeks it has become clear to me that intense commentary around my position risked becoming a distraction to the government's vital work of change,
In fewer than 100 days Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Government has been thrown into chaos - he has lost his chief of staff who has been at the centre of the scandal the Labour Party has been engulfed by
Sue has played a vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations. I am delighted that she will continue to support that work.”
I’m really pleased to be able to bring in such talented and experienced individuals into my team. This shows my absolute determination to deliver the change the country voted for.”
I want to thank Sue for all the support she has given me, both in opposition and government, and her work to prepare us for government and get us started on our programme of change