Sue Gray - I can't quite put my finger on it but....

[MrSeptember]

I don't know a lot about Sue Gray but I've been sort of glancing at many of the articles etc, and I just can't help feeling there's a hint of something in the tone that just wouldn't apply if she was a man? I think it's not that a man wouldn't necessarily get the grief she's getting, but perhaps that the language is different? eg today The Times refer to her as having a "reputation for putting noses out of joint." I mean, with Dominic Cummings, it was generally agreed in the articles that he was often hated, but the language was different. I saw something the other day that referred to her in quite a sneering way as beng the gatekeeper for Starmer and attending international meetings and I found myself thinking, "but isn't that the absolute core of the job"

Does anyone know what I mean and/or have a better way of describing it?

I haven’t read much of the recent coverage but I do remember when she did her initial reports how weird it was that she was mentioned by name so often and the media made her become such a known figure, in a way that other people who made similar reports/investigations, often men, didn’t. Unless it was part of the slight hysteria around partygate?

I saw something the other day that referred to her in quite a sneering way as beng the gatekeeper for Starmer and attending international meetings and I found myself thinking, "but isn't that the absolute core of the job"

I agree. She's described like she's some sort of meddler, pushing in.

Yeah, definitely a sense of "nagging woman, acting as a barrier with her pesky little rules.'

Is it not just that people who have read about her Northern Ireland career all think she was a very very very senior Intelligence bod and knows where all the secrets were hidden. And are not allowed to write about that, and are scared of her, and resent it.

is that right? interesting
I just thought, why is this a big deal? we would expect someone that senior to be paid well and its well known that our politicians aren't actually paid that well (compared to other countries eg)

It does feel as though a significant proportion of the furore that's being whipped up in the Press is 'How can THIS WOMAN earn more than ME?' and 'Why is THIS WOMAN being paid a salary commensurate with her role and comparable positions inside Government and significantly less than roles outside it?'.

Even the fact she’s called “Sue Gray” all the time. Male politicians are often just their surname.

As a rough rule of thumb I(59) have observed that there is a hefty subset of young men who have a massive issue with middle age women being higher up the food chain once you get beyond junior management. This is especially true once you become a gatekeeper to the bosses and the doors aren't always open.

OR

Maybe because there is felt to be a "Starmer clique of cronies". Purely going by what I have read online*, Sue Gray is said to be good friends with peer and donor, Waheed Alli, arranging for his 10 Downing St pass. Alli seconded one of his staff, Matthew Foulding, to the Labour Party where he was responsible for PPC selection (which annoyed a lot of local labour parties who had their own ideas about who to pick). Alli provided a £10,000 donation to Sue Gray's son, Liam Conlon’s campaign to become a Labour MP for Beckenham and Penge......

*insidecroydon.com/2024/09/23/suited-and-booted-norbury-allis-donations-and-no10-access/

A good demonstration of how middle aged women are supposed to fade quietly into the background and not be any kind of threat - you can maybe be a nice nana, or a Karen, but dont dare to have power and influence and earn more than most men, especially if you dont play up your appearance to look glamourous (in which case you could be classified as a cougar, or mutton dressed up as lamb).