Sue Grey, a former senior civil servant, could become Sir Keir Starmer’s director of staff in the autumn.
In March, Ms. Grey resigned from the civil service, prompting government outrage and claims of rule violations.
The government sought to prohibit Ms. Grey from working for Labour for one year, with additional restrictions for six months.
Nonetheless, according to reports, the advisory appointments committee recommends she begin the position six months after departing the civil service.
The independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) has investigated the appointment and will render a verdict on Ms. Gray’s resignation.
Ms. Grey has held some of the highest-ranking positions in the civil service and is best known for investigating the Partygate scandal, which contributed to Boris Johnson’s demise as prime minister last year.
Ms. Gray’s choice to leave the civil service for a Labour Party job infuriated some Conservative MPs. Civil servants, who develop and implement government policies, are expected to be politically neutral.
Mr. Johnson’s supporters claimed the employment offer cast doubt on her report on the former prime minister’s impartiality.
Labour has stated that it did not contact Ms. Grey until after the publication of the Partygate report.
However, the Conservative government deemed the situation “unprecedented” and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden authorized an internal investigation – separate from Acoba’s inquiry – into the circumstances surrounding Ms Gray’s resignation.
‘Shocking’
The civil service regulation requires Ms. Gray’s rank to wait three months before accepting outside employment.
Senior civil officers and ministers must communicate with Acoba before accepting employment within two years after leaving government.
Acoba may advise a two-year delay before starting a new job, but it cannot prevent appointments.
Labour has stated that the party and Ms. Grey will adhere to the recommendations of Acoba.
Downing Street declined to comment on suggestions that Acoba could let Ms. Grey work for Labour by September.
Brendan Clarke-Smith, a member of the Conservative Party, tweeted, “Absolutely shocking, but sadly part of a larger pattern.”
Lord Eric Pickles, a Conservative peer and minister under David Cameron, formed the committee, said Labour Party member Chris Bryant.
Since the 1970s, Ms. Grey held prominent government posts such managing the ethics and propriety team.
Last year, however, she was thrust into the public spotlight when tasked with investigating allegations of Covid rule-breaking by Downing Street staff, including her then-boss, civil service chief Simon Case.
Her final report concluded that there were “leadership and judgment failures at Number 10.”
