he UK Prime Minister has asserted that he is “completely in control” following reports of tensions within the government over staff salaries.
It has come to light that Sue Gray, chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer, has received a pay increase that now puts her salary above that of the Prime Minister.
Sources have suggested that this development highlights underlying issues in government relations, just months after Labour’s recent general election victory.
When asked about the wave of off-the-record briefings concerning Ms. Gray, the Prime Minister emphasized his commitment to his team, stating, “I’m focused, and every day the message from me is the same: we have to deliver.”
He added, “We were elected on a strong mandate to bring about change, and I am determined to see that through.”
In separate interviews, Sir Keir defended his choice to accept corporate hospitality from Arsenal football club, explaining that he could no longer use his season ticket in his role as Prime Minister. The Premier League team has provided two seats in the corporate section of the Emirates Stadium.
He noted that it would be more costly for taxpayers in terms of security to use his regular seat. While he expressed a preference for sitting in the stands, he deemed the corporate ticket arrangement to be “perfectly sensible.”