Who Is Sue Gray? The Civil Servant Investigating 'Partygate'

The Metropolitan Police and the Cabinet Office have recently launched investigations into Boris Johnson’s “Partygate” scandal following the report which claimed the Prime Minister held a birthday party during lockdown. 

One of the names you might have heard being thrown around the Cabinet’s investigation is Sue Gray, but who is she? 

Who Is Sue Gray?

Sue Gray is a British civil servant, who is leading the Cabinet Office’s investigation into the alleged lockdown breaches.

She will be the one to deliver and present the report to Johnson, with the findings being made public. However, it is not clear at this stage whether the full report will become publicly available.

Reports suggest that Gray is in possession of damning photographs of Downing Street, which show parties at the Government office.

The images reportedly depict Boris Johnson, bottles of alcohol and people not observing social distance rules at the parties.

Sky News reports that the pictures were “handed over to investigators” by Government “officials”.

Gray is currently Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, and was previously Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance and was nominated temporary NI Executive between 2018 to 2021.

The civil servant also served as Director General, Propriety and Ethics in the Cabinet office between 2012 to 2018. 

The investigations lead first joined the Cabinet office in the late 90s, 

Gray first joined the Cabinet Office in the late 1990s, having previously worked in Transport, Health and the Department for Work and Pensions in policy and on the front lines. 

Back in the 80s, the government member of staff purchased and oversaw the running of a pub in Newry, Northern Ireland.

Who is Sue Gray’s husband?

Sue Gray’s husband is Bill Conlon, a British country singer.

The singer is perhaps most known for his song “I Don’t Have To Fall”, which was played multiple times on BBC Radio 2 in 1991. 

Conlan also sings Irish ballads, and is said to have performed at music festivals in Europe. 

The singer also performs with a band, Emerald, and have been on UK tours together. 

Conlan does prefer however, to keep his private life, well, private. The Belfast Telegraph have even repored that the singer is a “quiet man”. 

How much does Sue Gray earn?

It is not clear how much Sue Gray currently earns.

However, the Cabinet Secretary/ Head of Civil Service earned about £200K in 2019, according to civil service.org.