KEIR Starmer will not be the true power in Downing Street now that Morgan McSweeney has been made his chief of staff, a former Labour MP has said.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who was blocked from standing for Labour in the 2024 General Election, claimed that the Prime Minister would be told exactly “how to dance” by his new chief of staff.
It comes after a reported power struggle between Starmer’s former chief of staff Sue Gray and McSweeney led to Gray resigning her role.
An ally of Gray told The Times she had been the victim of an “out-of-control group” of senior male advisers who felt threatened by her.
She was moved to a newly created position as an “envoy” to the UK’s nations and regions – sparking criticism of a “colonial mindset” among Labour government figures.
McSweeney, a close Starmer adviser who is credited as playing a key role in delivering the Labour election victory in July, became the new chief of staff in No 10.
Speaking about the move on GB News on Tuesday, Russell-Moyle said that Gray had been Starmer’s pick, and McSweeney had ousted her in order to ensure he – and not the Prime Minister – had control.
The former Labour MP said: “It was Morgan McSweeney that recruited Keir Starmer. It was Morgan McSweeney that said to Keir, we will make you Prime Minister if you do what we say and if you dance to our tune.
“Sue Gray was Keir's woman. Sue Gray was appointed by Keir, and Sue Gray danced to Keir's tune. Now his most senior adviser will not instead be dancing to Keir's tune, but will be instructing Keir on how to dance.”
He added: “I think that is a problem for a Prime Minister, because it means that you don't have people that you know are trusted around you. But it also means that other advisors will know that his word is not his bond, in that sense. And so I do think it is difficult.”
Russell-Moyle alleged that these targeted leaks were “Morgan McSweeney 101” and had been done to try and ease Gray out of her role.
“It is the playbook of that kind of politics that has been pursued, and I do think it is dangerous,” the former Labour MP said.
“There is only one way I think that you can salvage this situation. I don't think it will be done, but it would be to appoint Sue Gray as the Cabinet Secretary.
“Simon Case was also a quasi non civil service appointment. He came via the external route. And so it would not be impossible to do that, and that would provide a woman at one of the top tables.”
The Labour Party declined to comment, saying the issue was for No 10.
Downing Street has been approached for comment.
Russell-Moyle was not allowed to stand for Labour in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven in the General Election after an historic complaint about his behaviour, which he labelled “vexatious and politically motivated”.
He was replaced by Chris Ward, who formerly worked in Starmer’s personal office and became one of his closest advisors. According to The Guardian, Ward and McSweeney were both part of a "gang of five" working closely behind Starmer at the same time.
