DEFENCE secretary John Healey denied today that the government is already at “crisis point” as No 10 underwent a reshuffle following the ousting of Sue Gray.
The former civil servant and “Partygate” report author Ms Gray quit as chief of staff on Sunday after weeks of negative briefings against her.
Momentum slammed “Starmer’s bully boys” for being more interested “in internal power games” than addressing austerity and international conflicts amid plummeting support for Labour.
Today however, Mr Healey described Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet as the “most unified” he has served in, having been on the party’s front bench since 2010.
Asked if the government was already at a “crisis point” three months in office, he said: “No, I’d characterise this as a new government getting on with the job.”
He conceded that the heart of the new government became a “lightning conductor for criticism,” but insisted a “strong team” has been appointed in a Number 10 reshuffle.
Ms Gray stepped aside citing “intense commentary” about her position following rows over her salary being higher than the Prime Minister’s and freebies given to Cabinet ministers.
Replacing her is Labour right factionalist Morgan McSweeney, who led the party’s election campaign and with whom she was reported to have clashed.
Mr Healey repeatedly refused to say if Mr McSweeney would be paid more than Sir Keir.
Asked whether there had been problems with Ms Gray, he said: “I really respect her decision to step aside” as it “allows us more clearly” to set out a mission for government.
