Gordon Brown is already ruffling feathers after being nicknamed 'the real Deputy Prime Minister' by Sir Keir Starmer's inner circle. While Justice Secretary David Lammy officially holds the title, Mr Brown has ousted him from the plum Downing Street office that was given to accompany the position.
Brown's Return to Influence
Mr Brown's appointment to an unpaid, part-time advisory role last weekend was part of Sir Keir's last-ditch attempt to secure his leadership. The 75-year-old New Labour titan is now looking to assert himself, according to insiders. The 'real Deputy PM' moniker is likely to sting Mr Lammy, who is believed to enjoy the prestige of his ceremonial title.
Lammy's Office Dispute
Mr Lammy is even said to demand that his ministry officials call him 'Deputy Prime Minister'—even though it is not his main job—with some complaining they are wasting time on what they describe as his 'vanity post.' Sources close to Mr Lammy deny these claims and insist that his new office in the Dover House headquarters of the Scotland Office is 'bigger and better' than the one in Downing Street. They argue it is far more suitable for a Deputy Prime Minister and 'somewhere you can host international visitors.'
Tensions Within Starmer's Team
The nickname has only heightened tensions among Sir Keir's top team at a fraught time. The former Prime Minister's appointment last week as Special Reviewer on Global Finance and Cooperation was met with anger among some Labour MPs. Many in the parliamentary party were furious that sitting MPs were overlooked by Sir Keir in favour of Mr Brown.
Brown's New Role
Mr Brown will report directly to Sir Keir and is tasked with building international finance partnerships that can support defence and security in the UK. He will prepare the ground before the UK assumes the presidency of the G20 group next year. A spokesman for Mr Lammy dismissed the claims and said: 'The Deputy Prime Minister was given a new office in Dover House back in April.'
