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Sue Gray from Deal mistaken for civil servant investigating parties at Downing Street

13:39, 04 February 2022

updated: 09:15, 07 February 2022

A woman from Deal has been receiving mesages from people who are mistaking her for the civil servant investigating parties at Downing Street.

Sue Gray has become a household name after being tasked with finding out the truth behind 'Partygate'.

The Kent Sue Gray. Picture used with permission, from the website suegray.co.uk
The Kent Sue Gray. Picture used with permission, from the website suegray.co.uk

This new found fame has caused a few problems for a sleep coach and therapist in Deal - who is also called Sue Gray.

She has had emails from people mistaking her for the civil servant who has now become a household name.

Mrs Gray told KentOnline: "I have been getting emails from members of the public wanting to give their views on partygate and jokes on Facebook.

"People have emailed me saying Boris Johnson has done nothing wrong.

"They don't want him got rid of and have become very emotional about it."

Deal's Mrs Gray actually wrote reports for Boris Johnson in her past post in a government group, the Homes and Communities Agency, in the late 2000s when he was mayor of London.

The now-famous Sue Gray Picture: Gov.uk/PA
The now-famous Sue Gray Picture: Gov.uk/PA

But the extraordinary coincidences don't stop there.

Her father was called Gordon Brown and he died in 2007, the year his namesake became Prime Minister.

She has a son called Iain Gray, as in the leader of Scottish Labour.

An aunt of hers, Edith Joy, also worked for 10 Downing Street during the First World War during the Premiership of David Lloyd George.

The other Sue Gray is investigating alleged gatherings and parties at Downing Street during times of coronavirus lockdown.

Gordon Brown, namesake of the ex-Prime Minister. Picture from Sue Gray
Gordon Brown, namesake of the ex-Prime Minister. Picture from Sue Gray

In her initial report, published on Monday, she condemned "a serious failure" in the standards of leadership.

She also said that a number of gatherings were "difficult to justify" while millions were unable to meet their friends and relatives.

The full findings are expected to be published after the Metropolitan Police complete their own enquiries.

Just as civil servant Sue Gray was becoming a household name Sue Gray from Deal had quips from friends on Facebook.

One told her: "I thought you were moonlighting. You’d sort them out."

Another said: "I did do a second take ... we are relying on you to find out the truth."

A third one remarked: "Everyone is waiting for your report."

Sue Gray of Deal is 65, was born in Edmonton, north London, and went to school in nearby Southgate and Enfield Town. She is married with two grown-up sons.

Mrs Gray became a sleep therapist in the early 2010s after she was made redundant and has her own website.

The famous Sue Gray, who is the Second Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, is married and in her mid-60s.

She is from Tottenham, a few miles south of her namesake's home area, and joined the civil service straight from school.

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