Mayor’s fear they will lose powers as Sue Gray’s absence overshadows summit

England’s regional mayors have mentioned they’re “frightened” that the lack of Sue Grey from No 10 will weaken the Authorities’s devolution agenda.

The issues come on the identical day Sir Keir Starmer held the inaugural assembly of the Council of Nations and Areas, which was overshadowed by the absence of his former chief of workers after her ousting from Downing Road.

Grey was because of take up a brand new, lowered position performing because the Authorities’s envoy to the nations and areas, however didn’t attend the council’s first assembly in Scotland amid experiences she was taking a “break” after a tumultuous week in Whitehall.

A supply near the mayors informed i that her elimination from Downing Road had led to doubts over the Authorities’s dedication to devolution.

“She was a really highly effective advocate. All of the mayors are a bit frightened now she’s gone. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how she’s changed and whether or not it’s with the identical vitality,” the supply mentioned.

Talking outdoors the council assembly, Better Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham mentioned Grey “has made an enormous distinction when it comes to placing devolution on the coronary heart of this new authorities”, including that the mayors have been “indebted to her”.

The assembly of the primary Council in Edinburgh, which was attended by the leaders of the devolved nations and almost all the regional mayors, was extensively described as promising by those that have been there.

The mayoral supply added that the assembly had been “optimistic” and sensible – with the PM eager to listen to from regional leaders about what coverage areas wanted unblocking and urging them to come back to him with options he may look to enact.

They mentioned it was much less “ceremonial and summary” than they’d been anticipating and really a lot a “working assembly” with the sense that Starmer knew the Mayors and devolution can be essential components within the drive for financial progress.

“The proof will probably be within the pudding so we must see,” the insider added.

However regardless of the optimistic noises, the Prime Minister was repeatedly questioned over his dealing with of the Grey affair, which has dogged the primary few months of his premiership.

Requested whether or not he was embarrassed she had not been on the gathering, which is essential to her new position, Starmer informed broadcasters: “We’ve had a very constructive dialogue about financial progress, about jobs, about funding, and even at this time, we’ve had an extra announcement of £24bn funding in the UK.

“I set out after we received that election, to alter the nation for the higher, to stabilise the financial system, and these investments which might be coming in… they’re a drumbeat into our Funding Summit.”

Requested why Grey was not current, he mentioned: “For everyone listening and watching this, who’s involved to know, is there going to be funding in my area? Are there going to be jobs the place I reside? The reply is, at this time, we’ve acquired a great distance down the street of collaborating to that finish.”

Requested whether or not he would approve Grey’s severance pay, the Prime Minister repeated that “we’ve had a very vital assembly at this time”.

Downing Road insisted that Grey’s new place was an “vital position” and can permit her to “construct on the work already undertaken to reset that relationship” with regional leaders.

“There will probably be an extra assembly of the council within the spring, however this discussion board is under no circumstances the extent of our engagement,” the Prime Minsiter’s deputy spokeswoman mentioned.

“The entire level of the reset is that we are going to be working far more carefully and collaboratively with each devolved governments and mayors, so you possibly can count on to see far more continued shut engagement and the brand new envoy will play an enormous position in that.

“The appointment has been agreed, she is taking a brief break, however the PM seems to be ahead to working carefully along with her on this.”