Lobby journalists are rightfully confused about Sue Gray’s new completely made-up role as the PM’s “Envoy for the Nations and Regions.” Hilariously Downing Street is still today not commenting on whether she will attend the Council of Nations and Regions meeting in Scotland tomorrow. If she doesn’t go to those then what actually is her job?

Guido hears it’s bedlam inside No 10 over this as Sue is in reality spending her time battling for a huge severance package and salary for her new role. The Cabinet Office is said to be resisting as approval for her demands needs to come from the top – Gray is not entitled to the level of severance she is demanding. No wonder the government refused to tell Guido what severance she’d be paid, say what salary she’ll be on, or indeed what her role actually is – they have no idea…

A Downing Street source tells Guido: “They just need to end it, send her to the Lords and move on. We’re all sick of her continuing to dominate things – she has been sacked. So why are we all indulging her?” Hell hath no fury like a Sue scorned…

UPDATE: Gray will not attend the inaugural meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions tomorrow. So much for her “vital role” in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations that Starmer was supposedly so “delighted” by…

UPDATE II: Presuming Gray was on a regular SpAd contract with 4 months probation, she would not be entitled to severance pay. It would need to be publicly approved from the top…