Labour says findings that Sue Gray broke code are ‘Mickey Mouse nonsense’

Labour has slammed the ‘Mickey Mouse’ decision that Partygate investigator Sue Gray broke civil service rules because of ‘undeclared contact’ between her and the opposition.

The former senior civil servant is due to take up the role of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff after being cleared to start the job in September by the anti-corruption watchdog.

But in a separate Cabinet Office inquiry, it was found that Ms Gray, who refused to give evidence to the Government probe, broke the civil service code due to her contact with Labour ahead of her resignation in March.

The result was briefed ahead of Monday’s announcement, which came in the form of a written ministerial statement.

Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin said: ‘I can now confirm that the Cabinet Office process looking into the circumstances leading up to Ms Gray’s resignation has been concluded.

‘As part of the process, Ms Gray was given the opportunity to make representations but chose not to do so.

‘This process, led by the Civil Service, found that the Civil Service code was prima facie broken as a result of the undeclared contact between Ms Gray and the Leader of the Opposition.

‘The rules and guidance that govern the conduct of civil servants are clear and transparent. It is deeply unfortunate that events have transpired in this way.’

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), on Friday, recommended that Ms Gray have a six-month cooling-off period, starting from the day she quit the civil service, before taking up her new role.

The watchdog ruled it had seen ‘no evidence’ that her decision-making or impartiality was ‘impaired’ while serving in Whitehall.

A Labour Party spokesman said the statement was ‘Mickey Mouse nonsense’ and a ‘political stunt’ by the Tories.

‘All rules were complied with,’ the spokesman said.

‘The Acoba (Advisory Committee on Business Appointments) process makes that clear.

‘This statement is a political stunt by a Tory government out of ideas and out of road.’

The spokesman claimed ‘it says everything you need to know about the Tories that they have spent weeks wasting time on this Mickey Mouse nonsense’ while ‘refusing to investigate’ groping allegations against former London mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski.

‘We’re looking forward to Sue Gray joining us this September as we continue to show the country that only Labour can build a better Britain,’ the spokesman added.

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