The prime minister has insisted he is “completely in control” after the BBC revealed a row within government over staff pay.It has emerged Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, received a pay rise which means she is now on a higher salary than him.

The top salary under Rishi Sunak went to his chief of staff, Liam Booth-Smith, who was paid up to £149,999 - but the ceiling for special advisor pay had not been increased since 2019

Keir Starmer has been forced to insist he remains “in control” of the government less than three months after taking office. The prime minister has endured his toughest week since winning the general election amid a No.