Today's summit follows a Labour manifesto promise to restructure government by bringing the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland together with regional mayors in England. Starmer will convene it without Gray by his side.
His former chief of staff was handed the role with responsibility for the nations and regions last weekend after she was sidelined following an internal power struggle in No 10.
She had been expected to attend the summit in Scotland today but a No 10 source said that she was taking a break between roles.
It is uncertain whether Gray will, in fact, take on the new post amid concerns she may not have sufficient freedom to do it properly.
Her non-appearance at the summit has puzzled officials in Scotland, who are concerned it may signal a lack of commitment from No 10 about genuinely rebalancing relationships.
"If she's not here, is she an envoy in exile?" said one source. "Is she going to be the envoy driving this forward or is this something that will never get a driver?"
This story is from the October 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the October 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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