THERE were suggestions last night that the British government is making preparations for direct rule following the appointment of one of the most respected officials in Whitehall.
Sue Gray, said to be so influential that she has been described as "running the UK," is to take over the position of the new permanent secretary in the department of finance.
It is one of several appointments announced yesterday by the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
Ms Gray (60) will leave her position as director general of the propriety and ethics team in the Cabinet Office, which has seen her guide successive governments through ministerial crises.
Profiles in British newspapers have described her as dealing with the Plebgate inquiry which led to the resignation of minister Andrew Mitchell, overseeing Cabinet reshuffles and involved in the honours system. It has been suggested that she even signs off political memoirs to ensure nothing detrimental about government is revealed.
It is also understood she took a career break to run a pub near Newry during the 1980s.
Other appointments announced yesterday include Denis McMahon, the current deputy secretary, Work and Inclusion Group in the Department for Communities, who will take up the position of Permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Noel Lavery, the current Permanent Secretary DAERA, will move to the Department for the Economy, replacing Dr Andrew McCormick, following the announcement that he is to be appointed Director General of International Relations, reflecting the increasing challenges of Brexit.
Hugh Widdis, who had been undertaking the role that Ms Gray will take on over the next few months, will return to his position as Departmental Solicitor and Head of the Government Legal Service in Northern Ireland.
