Keir Starmer is facing ANOTHER cronyism row as he prepares to appoint 30 new Labour peers - including Sue Gray
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Sir Keir Starmer faces a fresh cronyism row as he prepares to appoint 30 new Labour peers this week – including his former chief of staff Sue Gray. The Prime Minister is reportedly planning to elevate a host of former MPs to the House of Lords despite his plan to cut the numbers in the upper chamber. Indeed, he has said previously he wants to abolish the House of Lords altogether.
![[Labour have called for reform to the House of Lords (pictured) including removing hereditary peers]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/01/87439037-0-image-a-40_1734484602530.jpg)
It is suggested allies of Sir Keir – including ex-MPs Thangam Debbonaire, Julie Elliott, Lyn Brown and Kevin Brennan – are in line for peerages. The elevation of Ms Gray, who was axed after weeks of bitter briefings against her, will also raise eyebrows. Her three months in No10 were marked by reports of tensions within Sir Keir’s top team while it was leaked she was earning more than the PM’s salary of £166,786.
![[Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) is facing more accusations of cronyism as his key allies could bein line for peerages]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/01/93257397-0-image-a-39_1734484594695.jpg)
Ms Gray, before taking up her role with Labour, worked for decades in the civil service. She became a household name as the Partygate investigator and her critical report into the Downing Street gatherings contributed to Boris Johnson’s downfall in 2022.
The wave of appointments could leave Sir Keir open to accusations of hypocrisy. Labour’s manifesto said the House of Lords reform was ‘long overdue’ with too many peers not playing a ‘proper’ role. Former Labour chief of staff Sue Gray (pictured) could receive a peerage, following a short-lived three months in number 10.
Labour have called for reform to the House of Lords (pictured) including removing hereditary peers. The party previously said the continued presence of hereditary peers in the Lords - who are there by right of birth - was 'outdated and indefensible' and reform is ' essential'.
