Cabinet ministers rally around chief of staff as Keir Starmer insists he is in control of No 10

• Why is Sue Gray at the centre of a new political storm?

Cabinet ministers have begun rallying around the Downing Street chief of staff, Sue Gray, saying the briefing against her is “appalling” and risks undermining the whole government.

In attempt to put an end to a series of damaging rows, Keir Starmer denied he had lost grip of his team and insisted he was “completely in control” of his No 10 operation.