When Sir Keir Starmer first approached Sue Gray early last year to be his chief of staff, he believed the veteran civil servant would bring her long Whitehall experience to Labour’s preparations for government.

Keir Starmer has endured a rough first three months in power, with his administration overwhelmed by controversies over donations, infighting and mounting gloom about the UK’s public finances. On Sunday,

Campaign Director Morgan McSweeney was immediately announced as her replacement. Often described as Labour’s election guru, he is seen as the mastermind behind Sir Keir’s succession from Jeremy Corbyn and the party’s landslide victory on July 4.

As the brains behind Starmer’s leadership campaign, McSweeney (47) is credited with having brought the prime minister to power. He entered No 10 as head of political strategy, in charge of charting the party’s path to another victory in five years’ time.

Morgan McSweeney, who led Labour’s general election campaign, is reported to have clashed with outgoing chief of staff Sue Gray.

Labour election guru Morgan McSweeney will take over as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, after Sue Gray quit citing fears she was “becoming a distraction” to the government.The author of the “Partygate” report has been a high-profile figure in Sir Keir’s top team since she was appointed while Labour was in opposition last year.