The prime minister has insisted he is “completely in control” after the BBC revealed a row within government over staff pay.It has emerged Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, received a pay rise which means she is now on a higher salary than him.

The top salary under Rishi Sunak went to his chief of staff, Liam Booth-Smith, who was paid up to £149,999 - but the ceiling for special advisor pay had not been increased since 2019

Keir Starmer has been forced to insist he remains “in control” of the government less than three months after taking office. The prime minister has endured his toughest week since winning the general election amid a No.

Former senior civil servant Sue Gray, who became a household name as the Partygate investigator, is at the centre of fresh controversy over the revelation she is paid more than her boss - the prime minister.

Sue Gray, Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, is paid more than the Prime Minister, it has emerged. Ms Gray asked for and has been given a salary of £170,000 – meaning she is on £3,000 more than Sir Keir.

The BBC said a number of sources briefed it on Sue Gray’s salary increase, meaning she earns about £3,000 (€3,570) more than Starmer.

Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff received a pay rise after the election which means she is now paid more than the prime minister. The BBC has been told that Sue Gray asked for and was given a salary of £170,

Jonathan Reynolds, business secretary, suggests Starmer himself did not decide pay for his chief of staff. Good morning. Yesterday the BBC broke the story that Sue Gray, Keir Starmer’s chief of staff,