Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed as “complete nonsense” the reports suggesting that his chief of staff, Sue Gray, is causing division within the Labour Party due to her involvement in the funding of Casement Park. The controversy centers on the funding shortfall for the West Belfast facility, which is planned to be one of the venues for the Euro 2028 football tournament.
Sue Gray, formerly a permanent secretary at Stormont, has been associated with renewed efforts by the British government to address the funding gap for Casement Park. However, the funding for this project remains contentious. The Stormont Executive has pledged £62.5 million, the Irish government has allocated £42.8 million, and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has committed £15 million. Despite these contributions, the total funding still falls short of the project’s escalating costs.
The UK government had previously promised financial support for Casement Park, but the rising costs have sparked debates and concerns. When asked about whether Euro 2028 would be played at Casement Park and whether Sue Gray had influenced any decisions, Starmer categorically denied any such influence, reiterating that the suggestion was “complete nonsense.”
Starmer emphasized that the decision-making process regarding the venue is a political matter and highlighted the key challenges, particularly in Northern Ireland, such as the timing of the Euros and the project’s cost. He assured that these issues are being carefully considered and that more information would be provided in due course.
During his visit to Northern Ireland, Starmer also addressed recent incidents of violence in the region. At least 20 police officers were injured in a series of riots that occurred in early August. Starmer met with the head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to discuss these events.
In summary, Starmer firmly rejected the notion that Sue Gray’s involvement has caused any division within the Labour Party over the Casement Park funding issue. He clarified that the decision regarding the venue for Euro 2028 is a political one, with the timing and cost of the project being key considerations. Meanwhile, he also focused on addressing recent security concerns in Northern Ireland during his visit.
