Axed Sue Gray set to miss her first major meeting in role as PM’s envoy just days after accepting the job

THE Prime Minister’s axed Chief of Staff today misses a first big meeting in her new envoy role.

Sue Gray will skip the inaugural get-together in Edinburgh of the Council of Nations and Regions.

She was forced to quit amid major infighting in Downing Street over the freebies scandal that has dogged the Government.

Ms Gray said that negative headlines around her role had risked her becoming a distraction.

She is taking a break before working with devolved administrations and regional leaders.

Earlier in the week, Gray dramatically quit as chief of staff after finding herself in the eye of a political storm.

Ms Gray said she didn’t want to become a “distraction” and would serve as the Prime Minister’s envoy for the regions and nations.

Her departure followed weeks of hostile briefings targeting her alleged micromanagement style, Labour’s perceived lack of readiness for Government, and her inability to prevent or manage the donations row.

The pressure on Ms Gray intensified last month when details of her £170,000 salary were leaked to the press.

The former Whitehall propriety and ethics chief said in a statement: “After leading the Labour party’s preparation for government and kickstarting work on our programme for change, I am looking forward to drawing on my experience to support the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to help deliver the government’s objectives across the nations and regions of the UK.

Ms Gray added: “Throughout my career my first interest has always been public service. However 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.

“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.”