Five weeks after Sue Gray resigned as the prime minister’s chief of staff, with the prospect of her being sacked hovering close, she is off again. And just like last time, even the manner of her departure is contested. We have been told the prime minister had decided to withdraw the offer for Ms Gray to be his envoy to the nations and regions.

Downing Street said there were ‘no plans’ for further updates on whether the envoy position might be taken up by someone else.

Sue Gray was set to take up the new role of envoy to the nations and regions after she resigned from her position at the heart of Government in October.

Sue Gray will not take up her post as the prime minister's envoy to the nations and regions, Downing Street has confirmed. She was initially appointed to the newly-created role after departing as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff last month, saying she "risked becoming a distraction".

Ms Gray was due to take up the new job after she resigned from her position at the heart of Government in October.