Stonewalling Starmer
LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari repeatedly asked Sir Keir Starmer when he first offered a job to Sue Gray, pictured, only to be stonewalled each time yesterday:
Nick Ferrari (NF): You will remember in January 2022 last year, you said to me, ‘full disclosure, I know Sue Gray personally’. When did you first approach Sue Gray to be your chief of staff? [The first time the Labour leader was asked] Sir Keir Starmer (KS): I met her when I was Director of Public Prosecutions [in 2008-2013]. So I’ve known her personally since then. She’s not a friend, I don’t mix with her. I’m not in the same social circles or anything like that.
NF: Might I ask when you first approached her to be your chief of staff? [2nd time he was asked] KS: I have been on the lookout for a chief of staff for a little while now. And obviously Sue will set out that, but [there was] nothing improper at all. NF: But when did you approach her? Can I ask when you approached
Sue? [3rd time]
KS: I’ve been looking for a chief of staff for a number of weeks. NF: I will try again. Obviously you don’t have to answer, but when did you first contact Sue Gray about the possibility of becoming your chief of staff? [4th] KS: Nick that’s going to be laid out by Sue. She’s got to do that as part of a leaving procedure but there’s nothing improper at all.
NF: But you can’t tell me that? [5th] KS: Nick, nothing improper at all.
NF: No, no, but you can’t tell me when you first approached her? [6th]
KS: I’ve been looking for a chief of staff for a little while but Sue will lay that out. NF: Why won’t you tell me? [7th]
KS: There’s nothing improper at all.
NF: But just answer. Why won’t you answer when you first made contact with her? [8th]
KS: I’m not going to go through lock, stock and barrel. But there’s nothing improper, it’s not unusual.
NF: But if it’s not improper, then why won’t you say, “It was a month ago Nick” or, “It was six weeks ago Nick” or, “It was on New Year’s Day”? [9th]
KS: Nick, I’ve been looking for some time and there’s nothing improper in the slightest.