Sue Gray appointed to governing body of Queen’s University

Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Sue Gray has been appointed to the governing body of Queen’s University Belfast.

Ms Gray quit as the prime minister’s chief of staff in October 2024 after rows over her pay and donations.

She has now been named as one of four new members of the senate at Queen’s University of Belfast (QUB), a role that comes without a salary.

The senate is the university’s governing body, responsible for the oversight of strategy, finances and performance.

Ms Gray was also the so-called Partygate investigator.

Her critical report into lockdown gatherings in Downing Street contributed to the resignation of Boris Johnson as prime minister.

Some Conservative MPs expressed anger when Ms Gray subsequently took up a high-profile role with the Labour Party in 2023.

But after resigning as the prime minister’s chief of staff, Ms Gray subsequently decided not to become the government’s envoy to the nations and regions.

She was appointed to the House of Lords at the end of 2024.

Since leaving Downing Street she has also chaired the board of a business and investment consultancy, and has now been announced as one of four new members of the QUB senate.

The university’s vice-chancellor Prof Ian Greer said the pro-chancellors at the university played “a crucial role in upholding the highest standards of accountability and leadership.”

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has been the chancellor of QUB since 2020.

Chancellor is a mainly ceremonial role, though the university has faced opposition from some staff and students over Ms Clinton’s stance on the conflict in Gaza.