KEIR Starmer's newly appointed envoy to the nations and regions of the UK will not be attending the inaugural meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in Edinburgh tomorrow.
Sue Gray, who was appointed as envoy after being forced to resign as Starmer’s chief of staff on amid infighting inside the Labour-run Downing Street, took up the new post on Sunday.
Multiple reports have stated Gray will not attend the meeting, citing she is "taking a break".
It was previously stated that she would be in attendance. Gray's attendance was described by analysis in The Scotsman as "key to Labour's council of nations and regions meeting in Scotland being worthwhile."
Downing Street told The National it would not comment on staffing at the event.
The newly-created role sparked a backlash across the political divide, with both SNP and Tory politicians questioning the position.
The meeting is intended to bring together the 11 English metro mayors, the leaders of the devolved administrations, and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to discuss "shared challenges" and "opportunities".
Figures in Scotland have slammed the UK Government for not inviting Scottish council leaders.
Glasgow council leader Susan Aitken said that this means Starmer is effectively “ignoring and excluding” not only Glasgow but other Scottish cities.
First Minister John Swinney will be in attendance.
