Labour Leaders Give Jobs to Donors and Activists

In a striking turn of events, the Labour government is facing accusations of cronyism as it reportedly appoints a number of party loyalists to publicly-funded roles within the civil service. This comes after Labour leaders, including Keir Starmer, had previously criticized the Conservative government for similar practices, labeling them as "jobs for the boys." The controversy ignited when journalist Harry Mount, known for his writings on Boris Johnson, was considered for a position on the House of Lords Appointments Commission, prompting accusations of hypocrisy from Labour's critics. Despite the uproar, Labour officials have maintained that no rules were broken in these appointments. However, the situation has raised eyebrows, particularly with the hiring of Rose Grayston as an expert adviser on housing in Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's department. Critics have pointed out that Grayston's previous role was mysteriously removed from her LinkedIn profile shortly before her appointment, further fueling suspicions of impropriety. Henry Newman, a former Tory aide, has been vocal in condemning Labour's actions, arguing that the party is jeopardizing the impartiality of the civil service by placing political figures in key roles. The complaint also highlights the appointment of several new officials, including Emily Middleton, who now serves as Director General at the Department for Science and Technology, under the oversight of Labour Minister Kyle. The Good Law Project, which previously campaigned against the Conservative government's alleged unethical appointments, now finds itself in a similar predicament as Labour grapples with the implications of its own hiring practices.