Harriet Harman, the chair of parliament’s partygate inquiry, was in private contact with Sir Keir Starmer’s incoming chief of employees Sue Gray whereas she was nonetheless a civil servant.
In the early phases of the parliamentary probe, the veteran Labour MP privately mentioned of her fact-finding efforts: “I just speak to Sue.”
Sky News understands the contact was direct and never through parliamentary or civil service officers.
At the time, Ms Gray had concluded her personal report into lockdown-breaking events in authorities and was working the structure unit on the Cabinet Office.
It is unclear precisely what Ms Harman and Ms Gray mentioned, however conversations are prone to have focussed on proof gathered throughout Ms Gray’s investigation that will have been of curiosity to Ms Harman’s privileges committee inquiry into whether or not Boris Johnson misled parliament.
In March this yr, Sky News broke the information that Ms Gray was in secret talks with Labour about changing into Sir Keir’s chief of employees.
Within hours she had give up the civil service with the intention to take up the function.
She is now awaiting a ruling from ACOBA (the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments) on how lengthy she should wait earlier than taking on the place.
Last week, we revealed these conversations between Labour and Ms Gray started in October 2022.
There isn’t any suggestion Ms Harman was conscious of Labour’s plans to recruit Ms Gray on the time of her conversations, or that the contact continued after Ms Gray was first approached by aides to Sir Keir.
A privileges committee spokesperson mentioned: “It was the duty of the chair to make contact with anyone, including Sue Gray, who might be able to indicate potential witnesses. The only evidence the committee will rely on it is that which is separately and independently verified by the relevant witness. The privileges committee is not relying on evidence gathered by Sue Gray.
“The chair with the complete data of the committee has had common contact with a variety of ministers and officers within the Cabinet Office to debate issues akin to the supply of paperwork to the committee, the id of potential witnesses and the welfare of civil servants who could also be affected by the inquiry.”
Ms Harman and Ms Gray haven’t responded to requests for remark.
Source: information.sky.com”