Applicant at Whitehall in Chief Sue Gray plans to issue a verdict on 10 parties

When David Cameron first arrived on Downing Street in 2010, prospective officials were intrigued by the new Prime Minister and his plans. But one voice replied: “Sorry PM, but you can’t do that.” When Chancellor George Osborne asked who he was, someone replied: “Sue Gray”.

In the dark Whitehall, where most civil servants work anonymously, the 65-year-old is seen as a member of Britain’s stable government that is not afraid to respond to the biggest politicians.

Boris Johnson turned to Gray last month to investigate allegations of several parties ignoring Covid’s ban – including two that took place in the Downing Street field that the Prime Minister visited.

After Secretary Secretary Simon Case was forced to quit following the reports of a party held outside his office, Gray was seen by the No10 as a clear and unambiguous approach.

Sir Oliver Letwin, a former cabinet minister, wrote in his journals that during his tenure, his powers at Whitehall differ from those of the prime minister.

“It took me exactly two years to figure out who is leading Britain. Our great United Kingdom is run by a lady named Sue Gray, a senior official in the Cabinet Office. Unless she agrees, things will not work out,” he wrote.

“The parties are growing, but he is already here. Sue will do well and do well

The details of the Gray background story are limited. Early in her public service career, she worked in the transportation, health and employment departments and pensions, before retiring in the late 1980s to run a business with her husband Bill, an international and western singer, in Newry, Northern Ireland. .

He is currently a permanent secretary in the Leveling Up department, but his reputation for Westminster stems from his years as director-general of propriety and ethics in the Cabinet Office from 2012 to 2018.

At the time, he was described by the BBC as “the most powerful person you have ever heard of” as the chief editor of the former prime minister’s secretary Lord Jeremy Heywood who described him as a “user”, a term he has served. like hearing.

In that capacity, he was responsible for judging whether the legislators violated the law, signed off on the issuance of ministerial memoranda, and established the remuneration of special advisers.

Westminster is riddled with serious injuries he suffered – including that of Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green who was forced to resign after a Gray investigation. He also assisted in the resignation of Andrew Mitchell, the former chief whip, and Liam Fox, a former security secretary.

Dave Penman, chief executive of the FDA, which represents senior civil servants, described Gray as “an excellent example of a public servant who, if you cut in half, the words ‘integrity’ and ‘impartiality’ pass through him a stone rod”.

Critics, however, argue that there is no transparency in his decisions and doubt as to how his role as a Whitehall judge affects him. A former counselor stated: “Sue is in a state of shock, but it is not clear who will be held accountable. He is the final symbol of the deep world. ”

Officials familiar with the investigation of the closure parties said Gray was well aware of the politics that could play a role in ending Johnson’s career. “He has to tread very carefully, even according to his standards,” said one.

Hannah White, deputy director of the Institute for Government think-tank, said Gray would probably be more careful in prosecuting people at parties, whether by government officials or politicians.

Whenever possible, he should adhere to his principles. The results of her report may be alarming, but they do not come from Sue Gray’s words. But they have to show who went with the numbers, “he said.

“If there is a prediction that politicians exist, they should see this.”

When in previous interviews, he told the Prime Minister, the investigation was unclear because it affected Johnson. The findings will be forwarded to No. 10 and are expected to be disclosed in a future manner.

But any political outcome could be decided outside the government if the minister and the Tories MP lose confidence in the Prime Minister.

Penman said Gray would not fail to explain to Johnson if he was needed. “He, without fear or favor, will come to the truth and place it on the door of the Prime Minister whether he wants to or not, as he often does in his work.”

Some Tories urged Gray Tuesday to expedite inquiries after the party’s demise on May 20, 2020, as well as anger at Johnson. “He has to hurry, it has to happen tonight, tomorrow or the weekend as soon as possible. It is difficult for him to be there for one week,” said another MP.

But those in Whitehall close to his investigation said it would take as long as it could. “The parties are growing, but he is already here. Sue should do well and do well. ”