View source for Chris Grayling

{{short description|British politician (born 1962)}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[The Right Honourable]]
| name                = The Lord Grayling
| honorific_suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|PC}}
| image               = Official portrait of Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP crop 2.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2020
| office1             = [[Secretary of State for Transport]]
| primeminister1      = [[Theresa May]]
| term_start1         = 14 July 2016
| term_end1           = 24 July 2019
| predecessor1        = [[Patrick McLoughlin]]
| successor1          = [[Grant Shapps]]
| office2             = [[Leader of the House of Commons]]
| primeminister2      = [[David Cameron]]
| term_start2         = 9 May 2015
| term_end2           = 13 July 2016
| predecessor2        = [[William Hague]]
| successor2          = [[David Lidington]]
| office3             = [[Lord President of the Council]]
| primeminister3      = [[David Cameron]]
| term_start3         = 9 May 2015
| term_end3           = 14 July 2016
| predecessor3        = [[Nick Clegg]]
| successor3          = [[David Lidington]]
| office              = {{ubl|[[Secretary of State for Justice]]|[[Lord Chancellor]]}}
| primeminister       = [[David Cameron]]
| term_start          = 4 September 2012
| term_end            = 9 May 2015
| predecessor         = [[Kenneth Clarke]]
| successor           = [[Michael Gove]]
| office5             = [[Minister of State for Employment]]
| primeminister5      = [[David Cameron]]
| term_start5         = 13 May 2010
| term_end5           = 4 September 2012
| predecessor5        = [[Jim Knight]]
| successor5          = [[Mark Hoban]] {{collapsed infobox section begin|[[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (United Kingdom)|Shadow Cabinet]] positions}}
| office6             = [[Shadow Home Secretary]]
| leader6             = [[David Cameron]]
| term_start6         = 19 January 2009
| term_end6           = 11 May 2010
| predecessor6        = [[Dominic Grieve]]
| successor6          = [[Alan Johnson]]
| office7             = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions]]
| leader7             = [[David Cameron]]
| term_start7         = 2 July 2007
| term_end7           = 19 January 2009
| predecessor7        = [[Philip Hammond]]
| successor7          = [[Theresa May]]
| office8             = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Transport]]
| leader8             = [[David Cameron]]
| term_start8         = 6 December 2005
| term_end8           = 2 July 2007
| predecessor8        = [[Tim Yeo]]
| successor8          = [[Theresa Villiers]]
| office9             = [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]]
| leader9             = [[Michael Howard]]
| term_start9         = 10 May 2005
| term_end9           = 6 December 2005
| predecessor9        = [[Oliver Heald]]
| successor9          = [[Theresa May]]
{{collapsed infobox section end}}
| office10            = [[Member of the House of Lords]]<br />[[Lord Temporal]]
| term_start10        = 20 August 2024<br />[[Life peer]]age
| parliament11        = United Kingdom
| constituency_MP11   = Epsom and Ewell
| term_start11        = 7 June 2001
| term_end11          = 30 May 2024
| predecessor11       = [[Archie Hamilton]]
| successor11         = [[Helen Maguire]]
| birth_name          = Christopher Stephen Grayling
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1962|4|1|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[London]], England
| party               = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (1988–present)
| otherparty          = [[Social Democratic Party (UK)|SDP]] (before 1988)
| spouse              = Susan Dillistone
| residence           = [[Ashtead]], [[Surrey]], England
| children            = 2
| alma_mater          = [[Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge]]
}}

'''Christopher Stephen Grayling, Baron Grayling''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|PC}} (born 1 April 1962), is a British politician and author who served as [[Secretary of State for Justice]] from 2012 to 2015, [[Leader of the House of Commons]] from 2015 to 2016 and [[Secretary of State for Transport]] from 2016 until 2019. A member of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], he served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Epsom and Ewell (UK Parliament constituency)|Epsom and Ewell]] from 2001 to 2024. Before entering politics, Grayling worked in the television and film industry.

Grayling was born in London and studied history at [[Cambridge University]]. He wrote a number of books as well as working for the [[BBC]] and [[Channel 4]] before going into politics. A member of the [[Social Democratic Party (UK)|Social Democratic Party]] until 1988, he then joined the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]]. First elected to [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] in the [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]] for [[Epsom and Ewell (UK Parliament constituency)|Epsom and Ewell]], he was appointed to the [[Shadow Cabinet of David Cameron]] in 2005 as [[Shadow Secretary of State for Transport]]. In 2007, he became the [[Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions]], and in 2009 he was appointed [[Shadow Home Secretary]].

Following the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]] and the formation of the [[Cameron–Clegg coalition]], Grayling was made [[Minister of State]] [[Department for Work and Pensions|for Employment]]. In September 2012, he was appointed to the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|Cabinet]] as [[Lord Chancellor]] and [[Secretary of State for Justice]] and served until 2015. He was the first non-lawyer to have served as Lord Chancellor for at least 440 years. He was [[Leader of the House of Commons]] and the [[Lord President of the Council]] from 2015 to 2016. In the [[First May ministry|majority]] and [[Second May ministry|minority May governments]], Grayling served as [[Secretary of State for Transport]].

Grayling stood down from the Cabinet when [[Boris Johnson]] became Prime Minister in July 2019. Johnson hoped for Grayling to become Chair of the [[Intelligence and Security Committee]] by being voted in by the Conservative majority on the committee. However, fellow Conservative [[Julian Lewis]] defeated Grayling in the ballot by using opposition votes to secure a majority, in what was seen as a blow to Johnson and his adviser [[Dominic Cummings]]. Six weeks later, Grayling resigned from the committee apparently due to his failure to become chair. He stood down at the 2024 general election and was appointed to the [[House of Lords]].

==Early life and career==
Grayling was born in London and grew up in [[Buckinghamshire]], where he was educated at the [[Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe]]. He then went to [[Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge]], where he graduated with an upper-second class Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1984.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/who-is-chris-grayling-meet-the-new-transport-secretary/|title=Who is Chris Grayling? Meet the new Transport Secretary|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>

Grayling joined [[BBC News]] in 1985 as a trainee, becoming a producer in 1986. He left the BBC in 1988 to join [[Channel 4]] as an editor on its ''[[Business Daily (TV programme)|Business Daily]]'' television programme. He rejoined the BBC in 1991 as a business development manager on [[BBC Select (1992–1995)|BBC Select]]. On leaving the BBC again in 1993, he briefly joined Charterhouse Productions as managing director before leaving several months later as it was wound up for failing to pay VAT.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Armstrong |first=Ashley |date=3 August 2016 |title=BHS saga shows why files must be retained |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph/20160803/282802125718600 |magazine=The Daily Telegraph |location=Print |access-date=6 March 2019 }}</ref> He ran several television production companies from late 1993, including managing the corporate communications division of Workhouse Ltd from 1992 to 1995 and [[Services Sound and Vision Corporation|SSVC Group]] in [[Gerrards Cross]] from 1995 to 1997.

Grayling became a public relations consultant in 1997 with [[Burson Marsteller]], where he remained until his election to [[House of Commons (UK)|Parliament]]. Prior to joining the Conservative Party, Grayling was a member of the [[Social Democratic Party (UK)|Social Democratic Party]] (SDP).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.libdemvoice.org/are-there-more-exsdp-members-on-the-tory-frontbench-than-the-lib-dem-frontbench-10833.html|title=Are there more ex-SDP members on the Tory front-bench than the Lib Dem front-bench?|publisher=Libdemvoice.org|date=30 January 2009|access-date=2 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001205656/http://www.libdemvoice.org/are-there-more-exsdp-members-on-the-tory-frontbench-than-the-lib-dem-frontbench-10833.html|archive-date=1 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Early political career==
===Borough councillor: 1998–2002===
Grayling was selected to contest the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]-held marginal seat of [[Warrington South]] at the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]], but was defeated by Labour candidate [[Helen Southworth]] by 10,807 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/612.stm|title=Results & Constituencies Warrington South – 2001|website=news.bbc.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904132230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/612.stm|archive-date=4 September 2019|url-status=live|access-date=4 September 2019}}</ref> He was elected as a councillor for the Hillside ward in the [[London Borough of Merton]] in 1998 and remained on the council until 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/theresa-mays-wimbledon-set-usurps-david-camerons-notting-hill-posh-boys-1570863|title=Theresa May's 'Wimbledon set' usurps David Cameron's 'Notting Hill posh boys'|first=Paul|last=Wright|date=20 July 2016|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref>

===Elected Member of Parliament: 2001===
Grayling was elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] to represent the [[Surrey]] seat of Epsom and Ewell at the [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]] following the retirement of the veteran Tory MP [[Archie Hamilton]]. Grayling held the seat with a majority of 10,080 and has been returned as MP there since. He made his [[maiden speech]] on 25 June 2001.<ref>{{cite web|author=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo010625/debtext/10625-20.htm#10625-20_spnew1|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 25 Jun 2001 (pt 20)|publisher=Publications.parliament.uk|date=25 June 2001|access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref>
In 2019, Grayling announced that Stoneleigh train station was to be given step-free access.

===Shadow Cabinet: 2001–2010===
[[File:Chris Grayling.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Grayling as Shadow Home Secretary in 2009]]
Grayling served on the Environment, Transport and the Regions [[Select committee (United Kingdom)|Select committee]] from 2001 until he was promoted to the [[Whip (politics)|Opposition Whips' Office]] by [[Iain Duncan Smith]] in 2002, moving to become a Spokesman for [[Department of Health and Social Care|Health]] later in the year. He became a Spokesman for [[Department for Education and Skills (United Kingdom)|Education and Skills]] by [[Michael Howard]] in 2003.

Following the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]], he became a member of Howard's [[Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (United Kingdom)|Shadow Cabinet]] as [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]] and, after the election of [[David Cameron]] as the [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|leader of the Conservative Party]], in December 2005, he served as the [[Shadow Secretary of State for Transport]]. In June 2007, he was made [[Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions]], a post he held until January 2009 when he became [[Shadow Home Secretary]].

Grayling became known as a national politician through his "attack dog" pressure on leading Labour politicians.<ref name=telegraph-20081221>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin/6026017/Chris_Grayling_rises_James_Purnell_plummets/ |title=Chris Grayling rises. James Purnell plummets. |last=Martin |first=Iain |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117042847/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin/6026017/Chris_Grayling_rises_James_Purnell_plummets/ |archive-date=17 November 2011}}</ref> He was heavily involved in the questioning of [[David Blunkett]], the then Work and Pensions Secretary, over his business affairs, which led to Blunkett's resignation in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/davidblunkett/Blunkett-clings-on-for-survival.2674574.jp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120726210153/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/davidblunkett/Blunkett-clings-on-for-survival.2674574.jp|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 July 2012|title=Blunkett clings on for survival|work=The Scotsman}}</ref>

Grayling challenged [[Tony Blair]] and his wife [[Cherie Blair|Cherie]] over the money they made from lectures while Blair was Prime Minister. He also challenged minister [[Stephen Byers]] over his handling of the [[Railtrack]] collapse.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article582876.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227130519/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article582876.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2007 |title="Cherie in trouble again" October 2005 |publisher=Timesonline.co.uk |access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>

====Role in the expenses scandal====
Between 2001 and 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5315228/Chris-Grayling-to-stop-claiming-second-home-allowances-MPs-expenses.html |title=Chris Grayling to stop claiming second home allowances: MPs' expenses |first=Jon |last=Swaine |date=12 May 2009 |access-date=1 August 2009 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> Grayling claimed expenses for his flat in [[Pimlico]], close to the Houses of Parliament, despite having a constituency home no further than 17 miles away.<ref name="telegraph-expenses">{{cite news|last=Watt |first=Holly |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5305242/Chris-Grayling-claimed-for-London-flat-despite-nearby-constituency-home-MPs-expenses.html |title= Chris Grayling (11 May 2009) |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 February 2006 |access-date=13 May 2009}}</ref> Grayling said he uses the flat when "working very late" because he needs to "work very erratic and late hours most days when the House of Commons is sitting."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chrisgrayling.net/speech/200801-expenses.htm |first=Chris |last=Grayling |publisher=Grayling's website |title=MPs Expenses – January 2008 |date=January 2008 |access-date=1 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816052800/http://www.chrisgrayling.net/speech/200801-expenses.htm |archive-date=16 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the [[United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal|Parliamentary expenses scandal]], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that Grayling refitted and redecorated the flat in 2005 costing over £5,000.<ref name="telegraph-expenses"/> Grayling's expenses issue was seen as embarrassing for the Conservative Party as he had previously criticised Labour ministers for being implicated in sleaze scandals.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/shadow-cabinet-expenses/5633897/Chris-Graylings-expenses.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Chris Grayling's expenses | date=26 June 2009}}</ref>

In 2010, it was reported by ''[[the Daily Telegraph]]'' that an [[IP address]] associated with the [[Parliamentary estate]] had been discovered attempting to remove references to Chris Grayling's role in the [[United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal|expenses scandal]] from his Wikipedia page. They attempted the edit to remove the information 5 times and later received a warning from a Wikipedia administrator.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/7696484/MPs-accused-of-Wikipedia-expenses-cover-up.html|title=MPs accused of Wikipedia expenses 'cover-up'|last=Leapman|first=Rebecca Lefort and Ben|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 May 2010|access-date=2 December 2019|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

====Comparing Moss Side to ''The Wire''====
As Shadow Home Secretary, Grayling provoked controversy in August 2009 when he compared [[Manchester]]'s [[Moss Side]] area to the American TV crime drama ''[[The Wire]]''. His comments received an angry response from some Manchester locals and criticism from the police.<ref name="men260809">{{cite news|date=26 August 2009|title=Grayling's comments on Moss Side condemned|first= Chris|last= Osuh |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1133692_graylings_comments_on_moss_side_condemned|work=[[Manchester Evening News]]|access-date=12 December 2009}}</ref><ref name="bbc01">{{cite news|date=25 August 2009|title=Anger at Tory's Wire comparison |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8221231.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=12 December 2009}}</ref> Having been out on patrol for a day with the police, observing the results of a shooting at a house, he described himself as having witnessed an "urban war". Police responded that gang-related shootings in [[Greater Manchester]] had fallen by 82 per cent from the previous year and that to speak of "urban war" was "sensationalistic".<ref name="men260809"/>

A local councillor, Roy Walters, complained of Moss Side unfairly being a "negative target" due to historical associations.<ref name="men260809"/> Defending his comments, Grayling said, "I didn't say Moss Side equals Baltimore. What I said is that we have in Moss Side symptoms of a gang conflict in this country which I find profoundly disturbing."<ref name="bbc01" /> Baltimore, with a population of about 600,000, was noted as having 191 gun related murders in the previous year, in comparison to Moss Side, population 17,537, which had none.<ref name="men260809"/>

====Statistics on violent crime====
Grayling came under criticism as [[Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition (United Kingdom)|Shadow Home Secretary]] over the Conservative Party's use of statistics on violent crime.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lies-damn-lies-and-tory-crime-statistics-1889927.html |title=Lies, damn lies and Tory crime statistics |date=5 February 2010 |access-date=7 April 2010 | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Andy | last=McSmith}}</ref> In February 2010, the Conservative Party issued press releases to every constituency in the UK claiming that crime had "risen sharply" in the UK. They failed, however, to take into account the more rigorous system for recording crime. The chairman of the [[UK Statistics Authority]], [[Sir Michael Scholar]], said that the figures Grayling was using were "likely to mislead the public" and "likely to damage public trust in official statistics" as the way in which crime was calculated had been changed in 2002.<ref name=tele9mar10>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7402232/Full-scale-of-violent-crime-revealed.html |title=Full scale of violent crime revealed|work=The Daily Telegraph|date= 9 March 2010|access-date= 24 May 2013}}</ref>

A Conservative-commissioned report by the independent House of Commons library suggested that, depending on how figures were calculated, Grayling's claims may have been justifiable and that violent crime may have risen in the period between 1998 and 2009.<ref name=tele9mar10/> The incumbent Home Secretary, [[Alan Johnson]], called Grayling's use of crime statistics "dodgy" and said that the British Crime Survey clearly showed that violent crime had reduced by 41% over the same period.<ref name=tele9mar10/>

====Gay couples in B&Bs====
In March 2010, Grayling was recorded at an open meeting of the [[Centre for Policy Studies]] think tank saying that during the debates on civil liberties under the Labour Government, he had felt that Christians should have the right to live by their consciences and that Christian owners of [[bed and breakfast]]s should have the right to turn away gay couples.<ref>''[[BBC News]]'', 4 April 2010, [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8602371.stm "Grayling suggests B&Bs should be able to bar gay guests", BBC News.]</ref> Grayling said:
<blockquote>"I personally always took the view that, if you look at the case of should a Christian hotel owner have the right to exclude a gay couple from a hotel, I took the view that if it's a question of somebody who's doing a B&B in their own home, that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn't come into their own home. If they are running a hotel on the high street, I really don't think that it is right in this day and age that a gay couple should walk into a hotel and be turned away because they are a gay couple, and I think that is where the dividing line comes."<ref>''The Observer'', 3 April 2010, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/03/tory-tape-gays-bed-breakfast Secret tape reveals Tory backing for ban on gays]</ref>
</blockquote>

When the recording was released by ''[[The Observer]]'', on 3 April 2010,<ref>''The Observer'', 3 April 2010, [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2010/apr/03/chris-grayling-secret-tape Listen to the secret recording: Top Tory backs bar on gays]</ref> Grayling's comments caused an angry response from gay rights campaigners,<ref name="guardian1">''[[The Guardian]]'', 3 April 2010, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/03/tory-tape-gays-bed-breakfast Secret tape reveals Tory backing for ban on gays]</ref> with [[Ben Summerskill]], Chief Executive of the gay rights group [[Stonewall (UK)|Stonewall]], saying that this position would be "illegal" and "very alarming to a lot of gay people who may have been thinking of voting Conservative".<ref name="guardian1"/> [[Peter Mandelson]], the most senior [[Homosexuality|gay]] minister in the (then Labour) Government, added that the comment showed that the Conservative Party had not changed, that "when the camera is on they say one thing, but when the camera is off they say another".<ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |last= Watson |first= Roland |date= 5 April 2010 |title= Senior Tory Chris Grayling forced into retreat on gay rights in B&Bs |url= https://www.thetimes.com/article/senior-tory-chris-grayling-forced-into-retreat-on-gay-rights-in-bandbs-d052hpp7b83 |access-date= 27 February 2025 }}</ref> Conservative Party leader [[David Cameron]] was subsequently urged to "back or sack" Grayling,<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date= 4 April 2010|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7553100/David-Cameron-urged-to-act-over-Chris-Graylings-anti-gay-comments.html |title=David Cameron urged to act over Chris Grayling's 'anti-gay' comments}}</ref> with gay rights campaigner [[Peter Tatchell]] saying that "Cameron's silence is worrying. Many voters – gay and straight – will be disturbed by his failure to swiftly disown Grayling's support for homophobic discrimination. What does this say about the sincerity and seriousness of his commitment to gay equality?"<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The Guardian]]|date= 4 April 2010|url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/04/grayling-real-tories-image-homophobic |title=Chris Grayling reveals the real Tories}}</ref>

Anastasia Beaumont-Bott, founder of [[LGBTory (United Kingdom)|LGBTory]], a gay rights group which campaigns for the Conservatives, announced that she would be voting for [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], not the Conservatives, in response to Grayling's comments. She said, "I feel guilty because as a gay woman affected by LGBT rights I am on record saying you should vote Conservative, and I want to reverse that. I want to go on record to say don't vote Conservative. I'd go as far to say that I'll vote Labour at this general election."<ref>''The Independent'', 8 April 2010, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/im-voting-labour-founder-of-tory-gay-rights-group-says-1938700.html I'm voting Labour, founder of Tory gay rights group says]</ref> Beaumont-Bott was joined in defecting from the Conservatives to Labour a week later by gay rights campaigner David Heathcote.<ref>{{cite web|work=Pink News|date= 14 April 2010|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/04/14/video-david-miliband-welcomes-former-tories-who-have-quit-party-over-gay-rights/ |title=David Miliband welcomes former Tories who have quit party over gay rights}}</ref> Grayling's comments were defended by a number of commentators, including the [[Today (BBC Radio 4)|''Today Programme'']] presenter and gay broadcaster [[Evan Davis]] and leading Christian groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bbcs-evan-davis-grayling-comments-not-homophobic/|title=BBC's Evan Davis: Grayling comments not 'homophobic'|work=The Christian Institute|date=28 April 2010}}</ref>

Grayling apologised on 9 April 2010, saying: "I am sorry if what I said gave the wrong impression, I certainly didn't intend to offend anyone... I voted for gay rights, I voted for [[Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations|this particular measure]]." Various commentators speculated that he might have been "hidden away" by his party when he made relatively few public appearances in the days of the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|general election campaign]] that followed.<ref>''The Observer'', 11 April 2010, [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/11/chris-gayling-gays-bb They seek Chris here, they seek Chris there...]</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|date= 13 April 2010|url= http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/christopherhope/100034152/chris-grayling-finally-makes-an-appearance-at-conservative-manifesto-launch/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100417001905/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/christopherhope/100034152/chris-grayling-finally-makes-an-appearance-at-conservative-manifesto-launch/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= 17 April 2010 |title=Chris Grayling finally makes an appearance at Conservative manifesto launch}}</ref> It is unclear whether his remarks were the reason that David Cameron chose to appoint [[Theresa May]] as [[Home Secretary]] in his new Cabinet, rather than Grayling who held the position in the Shadow Cabinet; Grayling was not given any Cabinet post, as had been predicted by some media commentators prior to the election.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|date= 14 April 2010|url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2010/apr/14/david-cameron-cabinet-who |title=David Cameron's cabinet: who's in and who's out?}}</ref> On 31 January 2013, it was reported that Grayling would vote in favour of [[same-sex marriage]] in England and Wales.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/31/chris-grayling-and-baroness-warsi-to-vote-in-favour-of-same-sex-marriage/ |newspaper=Pink News|date= 31 January 2013|title=Chris Grayling and Baroness Warsi to vote in favour of same-sex marriage|access-date=21 October 2014}}</ref>

==Early ministerial career==
{{BLP sources section|date=December 2016}}
On 13 May 2010, Grayling was appointed [[Department for Work and Pensions|Minister of State for Employment]] and was sworn into the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] on 28 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/her-majestys-government-49840 |title=Her Majesty's Government |publisher=Number10.gov.uk |date=19 May 2010 |access-date=13 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515034600/http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/her-majestys-government-49840 |archive-date=15 May 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/peerages-honours-and-appointments/ |title=Peerages, honours and appointments Number 10 |publisher=Number10.gov.uk |date=28 May 2010 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council/privy-council-members/privy-counsellors/#g |title=Privy Counsellors |publisher=Privy Council |access-date=7 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221115352/http://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council/privy-council-members/privy-counsellors/#g |archive-date=21 December 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As minister at DWP he was responsible for jobcentres. Measures were introduced to reduce costs, leaving 100,000 staff redundant in offices around the country. In the context of a "Broken Society"{{attribution needed|reason=[[Use–mention distinction|Use rather than mention]] implies a claim of fact that society was broken, contrary to [[WP:NPOV]], rather than properly attributing this claim to Grayling|date=January 2024}} he accused some families of being habitually unemployed, generation after generation, living in sink council estates in the inner cities. In the October 2010 [[Spending Review]], the government made cuts to the DWP budget in order to constrain welfare spending.<ref>{{cite news |last= Watt |first= Nicholas |date= 20 October 2010 |title= Spending review: welfare bears the brunt as extra £7bn of cuts unveiled |work= The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/oct/20/spending-review-welfare-cuts |access-date= 27 February 2025 }}</ref>

The policy later informed treatment of prisoners, refusing the [[Disfranchisement#United Kingdom 2|right to vote]], and clamping down on abusive behaviours in jails. He announced work programmes for prisoners, encouraged an end to the "something for nothing culture". More people than ever were found fit to work as part of a package of measures in a £5&nbsp;billion program to make work for the long-term unemployed.<ref>{{cite news|last=Peacock |first=Louisa |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9434461/Employment-Minister-Chris-Grayling-moves-to-push-more-people-on-benefits-back-into-work.html |title=Back to Work program |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>

==Cabinet-level minister==
Grayling was promoted to the [[Cabinet (United Kingdom)|Cabinet]] on 4 September 2012, as [[Lord Chancellor]] and [[Secretary of State for Justice]]. Sworn in as Lord Chancellor on 1 October 2012 at Westminster Abbey,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/features/chris-grayling-sworn-in-as-lord-chancellor|title=Chris Grayling sworn in as Lord Chancellor|work=justice.gov.uk|date=1 October 2012 }}</ref> he was elected an [[Honorary Bencher]] of [[Gray's Inn]] on 11 December 2012, due in part to his lack of legal qualifications. He was the first non-lawyer to have served as Lord Chancellor for at least 440 years. (It was reported that the last such non-lawyer was the [[Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury|Earl of Shaftesbury]] in 1672–73;<ref name="scots">{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/queen-s-speech-sketch-ceremony-changes-1-2923263|title=Queen's speech sketch: ceremony changes|work=scotsman.com}}</ref> but the Earl was admitted to [[Lincoln's Inn]] in 1638.<ref name="HOP">{{cite web|url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/cooper-sir-anthony-ashley-1621-83|title=COOPER, Sir Anthony Ashley, 2nd Bt. (1621–83), of Wimborne St. Giles, Dorset and The Close, Salisbury, Wilts.|work=historyofparliamentonline.org}}</ref>)

Grayling's appointment was widely seen as a return to a more hard line approach than that of his predecessor, Clarke.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/20/chris-grayling-take-hardline-prison|title=Chris Grayling takes hard line on prison|work=The Guardian|date=20 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9554533/Prison-should-be-tougher-for-criminals-Justice-Secretary-Chris-Grayling-warns.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Prison should be tougher for criminals, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling warns | date=20 September 2012}}</ref> Grayling pursued a "tough justice" agenda, including ending automatic early release for terrorists and child rapists,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10354553/Chris-Grayling-to-end-early-release-for-child-rapists-and-terrorists.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Steven | last=Swinford | title=Chris Grayling to end early release for child rapists and terrorists | date=4 October 2013}}</ref> ending simple cautions for serious offences,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chris-grayling-simple-cautions-for-serious-offences-to-be-scrapped|title=Chris Grayling: Simple cautions for serious offences to be scrapped|work=www.gov.uk|date=30 September 2013 }}</ref> and introducing greater protections for householders who defend themselves against intruders.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19879314 | work=BBC News | title=Conservative conference: Force against burglars to be allowed | date=9 October 2012}}</ref> The leading human rights barrister [[Lord Pannick]] described Grayling's performance as "notable only for his attempts to restrict judicial reviews and human rights, his failure to protect the judiciary against criticism from his colleagues and the reduction of legal aid to a bare minimum."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-mcsmiths-diary-chris-grayling-the-worst-lord-chancellor-for-342-years-no-worse-10114748.html|title=Andy McSmith's Diary: Chris Grayling the worst Lord Chancellor for 342 years? No, worse|first=Andy |last=Smith|work=The Independent|date=17 March 2017|access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref>

=== Prisoner reforms ===
One of Grayling's first acts at the [[Ministry of Justice]] (MoJ) was to commence a project to change the way offenders were rehabilitated in an effort to cut reoffending rates. Under a system of "payment by results", private companies as well as charities were to play a greater role in looking after offenders on licence in the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/rehabilitation-revolution-the-next-steps|title=Rehabilitation revolution: the next steps|work=www.gov.uk|date=20 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22886395 | work=BBC News | title=Prison payment-by-results schemes see reoffending cut | date=13 June 2013}}</ref>

Grayling's ban on books being sent into [[UK prisons]] was widely criticised by the [[Howard League for Penal Reform]] and the literary establishment, including [[Philip Pullman]], [[Mark Haddon]], [[Anthony Horowitz]], [[Susan Hill]] and [[Emma Donoghue]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/authors-blast-chris-graylings-vindictive-act-of-banning-prisoners-from-receiving-books-9212921.html|title=Authors blast Chris Grayling's 'vindictive act' of banning prisoners from receiving books|first=Chris |last=Green|date=24 March 2014|work=The Independent}}</ref> The ban was described as obscene by [[Shaun Attwood]] of the TV show ''[[Banged Up Abroad]]'' who read over a thousand books in prison and credited books for being the lifeblood of rehabilitation.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
The move was defended as being not about a ban on books being sent into prison, but about parcels being sent in, as giving prisons access to the latter would almost certainly increase the amount of contraband getting into the prison estate.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10742660/Nasty-Chris-Grayling-is-fighting-to-bring-the-justice-blob-to-book.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Isabel | last=Hardman | title=Nasty Chris Grayling is fighting to bring the justice 'blob' to book | date=3 April 2014}}</ref> The [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] ruled the ban illegal in December 2015.<ref name=Jessica>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/26/from-court-fees-to-a-books-ban-chris-grayling-short-lived-justice-policies|title=From court fees to a books ban: Chris Grayling's short-lived justice policies|first=Jessica |last=Elgot|work=Guardian newspapers|date=26 July 2017|access-date=21 January 2019}}</ref>

On stepping down from his role as [[Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons]] Nick Harding criticised Grayling for "robustly" interfering with the contents of reports and Grayling's department for using financial controls to influence what was inspected, thereby threatening the independence of the Inspector's role.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nick-hardwick-prisons-inspector-steps-down-with-attack-on-chris-grayling-for-trying-to-influence-his-a6824041.html|title= Nick Hardwick: Prisons inspector steps down with attack on Chris Grayling for trying to influence his work|work=The Independent|date= 20 January 2016|access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref>

In March 2019, the UK [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] issued a report on the reforms of the probation system in England and Wales initiated by Grayling during his tenure at the MoJ<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nao.org.uk/report/transforming-rehabilitation-progress-review/|title=Transforming Rehabilitation: Progress review – National Audit Office (NAO) Report|website=National Audit Office|date=March 2019 |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> stating that the Ministry had "set itself up to fail" through the "rushed implementation" of the reforms. As a result, the MoJ's aim of delivering cuts in reoffending had not been achieved, with reoffending rates having "increased significantly", at a cost £467 million higher than predicted.<ref name=guardian-20190301>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/01/watchdog-slams-extremely-costly-probation-changes |title=Watchdog slams Grayling's 'costly' probation changes |last=Walker |first=Amy |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=ph-20190301>{{cite news |url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/home-affairs/justice-system/news/102186/spending-watchdogs-slam-chris-graylings-extremely |title=Spending watchdogs slam Chris Grayling's 'extremely costly' probation reforms |last=Schofield |first=Kevin |website=PoliticsHome |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> However, a report released in January 2020 by the MoJ stated that due to the reforms introduced by Grayling, adult and juvenile reoffending rates decreased substantially.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 2020 |title=Proven reoffending statistics quarterly bulletin, England and Wales |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/872390/bulletin_Jan_to_Mar_2018.pdf |website=Ministry of Justice |quote=Users should be cautious when making any comparisons between cohorts before and after October 2015. This is because there was a change in data source from October 2015 onwards.}}</ref>

In May 2019, incumbent Justice Secretary, [[David Gauke]], announced offender supervision in England and Wales is to be returned to government control, under the management of the [[National Probation Service]], reversing Grayling's policy. The abolition of Grayling's 'payment by results' system took place in December 2020, terminating the contracts of the private sector providers two years early. During the 2017–18 period 'serious further offences', which include crimes such as murder and rape had increased by 21% compared to the 2016–17 period<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48288433|title=Offender supervision to be renationalised|date=16 May 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=16 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/16/part-privatisation-probation-sevices-to-be-reversed-offender-management-nationalised-chris-grayling|title=Probation will be renationalised after disastrous Grayling reforms|last=Grierson|first=Jamie|date=15 May 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/14/number-supervised-offenders-accused-violent-crimes-rises-england-wales|title=Number of supervised offenders charged with violent crimes rises 21%|last=Grierson|first=Jamie|date=14 October 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> in June 2019, a study published by the [[British Sociological Association]] described the privatisation of the probation system as an "unmitigated disaster" and found that it left the public at greater risk from ex-offenders released from prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/30/chris-grayling-probation-privatisation-disaster|title=Chris Grayling's privatisation of probation service 'a disaster'|last=Doward|first=Jamie|date=30 June 2019|work=The Observer|access-date=1 July 2019|issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

=== Prison benchmarking and staff cuts ===
A prison "benchmarking" programme was introduced in 2012 by Grayling to reduce the costs of [[Her Majesty's Prison Service|public sector prisons]] to match comparable private sector prisons, along with associated new core standards intended to result in prisoners having similar amounts of time spent outside their cells across similar prisons.<ref name="guardian-20140429">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/29/prisons-ordered-cust-costs-149-million-a-year |title=Prisons governors ordered to cut costs by £149m a year |first1=Alan |last1=Travis|first2= Steven |last2=Morris |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=17 November 2016}}</ref> Prison officer numbers were reduced from about 23,000 in 2012 to about 18,000 in 2015.<ref name="bbc-20161103">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37854358 |title=Prisons to get 'biggest overhaul in a generation' |work=BBC News |date=3 November 2016 |access-date=17 November 2016}}</ref>

In 2015, the [[Justice Select Committee]], following a year-long prison inquiry, was critical of Justice ministers for apparent complacency about a 38% rise in prison deaths since 2012. The committee concluded that efficiency savings and staffing shortages had made "a significant contribution to the deterioration in safety" in prisons.<ref name="guardian-20150318">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/18/uk-justice-minister-chris-grayling-complacent-38-rise-in-prison-deaths-say-mps |title=UK justice minister 'complacent' over 38% rise in prison deaths, say MPs |first=Alan |last=Travis |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 March 2015 |access-date=17 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="hoc-20150318">{{cite news |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmjust/309/309.pdf |title=Prisons: planning and policies |publisher=UK Parliament |work=House of Commons Justice Committee |id=HC 309 |date=18 March 2015 |access-date=17 November 2016}}</ref> The committee commended Grayling for his goal of creating a nationwide network of resettlement prisons.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 March 2015 |title=UK justice minister 'complacent' over 38% rise in prison deaths, say MPs |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=network+of+resettlement+prisons+chris+grayling&tbm=nws}}</ref> A pioneering scheme to help inmates rehabilitate in the community where they are released.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 July 2013 |title=70 resettlement prisons unveiled to aid rehabilitation |url=https://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-07-04/70-resettlement-prisons-unveiled-to-aid-rehabilitation/}}</ref>

=== A 'tough justice' agenda: court reforms ===
Grayling's proposed cuts to legal aid were widely criticised by the legal profession. In May 2013, 90 [[Queen's Counsel]]s signed a letter sent to ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' that branded the cuts "unjust", as they would seriously undermine the rule of law.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/news/2271327/top-qcs-unite-to-criticise-legal-aid-cuts-and-judicial-review-reforms |title=Top QCs unite to criticise legal aid cuts and judicial review reforms |publisher=legal week |date=29 May 2013 |access-date=29 May 2013 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106113943/http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/news/2271327/top-qcs-unite-to-criticise-legal-aid-cuts-and-judicial-review-reforms |url-status=dead }}</ref> 6 January 2014 saw the first strike in British history by barristers and solicitors in protest at the cuts.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/a-justified-moment-to-make-history-lawyers-strike-for-first-time-ever-to-protest-legal-aid-cuts-9044746.html|title = A justified moment to make history: Lawyers strike for first time ever to protest legal aid cuts|date = 7 January 2014|access-date = 4 December 2015|website = independent.co.uk|last = Proudman|first = Charlotte Rachael}}</ref> In February 2014, he introduced the [[Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015]] to the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Criminal Justice and Courts Bill 2013–14 |url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/criminaljusticeandcourts.html |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222203143/http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/criminaljusticeandcourts.html |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> The Bill included measures to outlaw "revenge porn".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/11156239/People-who-post-revenge-porn-on-internet-face-two-years-in-jail-says-Chris-Grayling.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Tim | last=Ross | title=People who post 'revenge porn' on internet face two years in jail, says Chris Grayling | date=12 October 2014}}</ref> In October 2014, Grayling unveiled the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]'s proposals<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.conservatives.com/~/media/Files/Downloadable%20Files/HUMAN_RIGHTS.pdf |title=Protecting Human Rights in the UK |website=Conservatives.com |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116192608/https://www.conservatives.com/~/media/files/downloadable%20Files/human_rights.pdf |archive-date=16 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> for reforms to human rights in order to curb the [[European Court of Human Rights]]' influence over British court rulings, whilst honouring the text of the original [[Convention on Human Rights]] in a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29466113 | work=BBC News | title=European human rights rulings 'to be curbed' by Tories | date=3 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/interactive/2014/oct/03/conservatives-human-rights-act-full-document |title=Conservatives plan to scrap Human Rights Act – read the full document|work=The Guardian|date=3 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2014-10-03/tories-threaten-to-scrap-human-rights-act-and-replace-it-with-british-bill-of-rights/|title=Tories threaten to scrap Human Rights Act and replace it with 'British Bill of Rights'|work=ITV News|date=3 October 2014 }}</ref>

In December 2013, [[Alan Turing]] was granted a pardon by the Queen, after a process initiated by Grayling in his capacity as [[Lord Chancellor]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/video-chris-grayling-on-alan-turing-pardon-9024451.html | location=London | work=The Independent | title=Video: Chris Grayling on Alan Turing pardon | date=24 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/Print/2013/12/24/turing_pardoned/|title=British Second World War codebreaker Alan Turing receives Royal pardon • The Register|work=theregister.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-pardon-for-ww2-code-breaker-dr-alan-turing|title=Royal pardon for WW2 code-breaker Dr Alan Turing|work=www.gov.uk}}</ref> In April 2015, Grayling introduced mandatory flat-fee court charges for [[magistrates' court (England and Wales)|magistrates' court]]s, the lowest fee being £150 for a guilty plea. Lawyers feared that defendants may plead guilty to avoid falling into debt, and the president of the [[Law Society of England and Wales|Law Society]] described the change as a threat to fair trials. The charges for the [[Crown Court]] were increased to £1,200.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Association |title=Court fees for convicted criminals not thought through, say magistrates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/mar/27/court-fees-convicted-criminals-criticised-magistrates-association |access-date=10 August 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=27 March 2015}}</ref>

=== Justice department security failure ===
In January 2015, data relating to three fatal police shootings including details of marksmen and the deceased's family were lost in the post by the Justice Department. According to ''The Guardian'' it was particularly embarrassing for Grayling as the government was claiming it needed to access personal data to deal with terrorism and could keep it securely. The data included details of the [[Mark Duggan]] shooting incident which had triggered the [[2011 England riots]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jan/29/file-mark-duggan-police-shooting-lost-post|work=The Guardian|title=File on Mark Duggan police shooting lost in the post|first=Vikram |last=Dodd|date=29 January 2015|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>

=== Fathers 4 Justice protests ===
On multiple occasions in 2014 and 2015, [[Fathers 4 Justice]] protesters targeted Grayling's constituency home in Ashtead, Surrey in January and October 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.epsomguardian.co.uk/news/13977713.New_Fathers_4_Justice_campaigner_receives_final_warning_against_climbing_MP_s_roof/|work=Epsom Guardian|title=New Fathers 4 Justice campaigner receives final warning against climbing Chris Grayling's roof|first=Ben|last=Weich|date=10 November 2015|access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/chris-graylings-house-scaled-new-10306685|work=Get Surrey|title=Chris Grayling's house scaled by New Fathers for Justice protester dressed as Elmo|first=Tom|last=Smurthwaite|date=21 October 2015|access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/new-fathers-justice-protesters-freed-10473036|work=Get Surrey|title=New Fathers for Justice protesters freed after scaling Chris Grayling's house|first=Tom|last=Smurthwaite|date=20 November 2015|access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref> Other incidents included a weekend protest camp set up outside his house by four protesters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/fathers-rights-protesters-say-honk-8557039|work=Get Surrey|title=Fathers' rights protesters say 'honk for justice' outside MP's Ashtead home|first=Tom|last=Smurtwaite|date=1 February 2015|access-date=31 May 2017}}</ref>

===Leader of the House of Commons===

After the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], Grayling was appointed [[Leader of the House of Commons]] and [[Lord President of the Council]]. [[Michael Gove]] replaced Grayling as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2015-32679004|title = Michael Gove moves to justice in post-election reshuffle|date = 9 May 2015|access-date = 10 May 2015|newspaper = BBC News}}</ref>

Grayling led [[Theresa May|Theresa May's]] campaign for the leadership of the Conservative Party, and thus also as successor to David Cameron as Prime Minister, following Cameron's resignation in June 2016.<ref>James Kirkup [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/11/chris-grayling-theresa-mays-right-hand-man-is-the-only-real-winn/ "Chris Grayling, Theresa May's right-hand man, is the only real winner of the Brexit campaign"] ''The Daily Telegraph'' 11 July 2016</ref> May won the contest by default following the withdrawal of the only other contender, [[Andrea Leadsom]], after the second round of the leadership ballot.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/11/cameron-announces-he-will-step-down-after-pmqs-on-wednesday "Theresa May to become new PM after Tory rival Leadsom withdraws"] ''The Guardian'' 12 July 2016</ref>

== Secretary of State for Transport ==
[[File:Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling call on Tokyo Governor Koike (29373569403).jpg|thumb|Grayling as Secretary of State for Transport in Tokyo]]Grayling was appointed as [[Secretary of State for Transport]] when Theresa May became Prime Minister in July 2016.<ref>{{cite news| first=Julia |last = Rampen |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/07/theresa-may-s-first-cabinet-glance |title=Theresa May's first Cabinet at a glance |work=New Statesman  |date=14 July 2016 |access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/19/chris-grayling-tory-combative-mood-deal-with-rail-union-bosses |title=Chris Grayling: Tory in combative mood to deal with rail union bosses|work=[[The Guardian]] |date=19 December 2016|access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> He became criticised for various gaffes and controversies,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> such as injuring a cyclist by [[Dooring|unsafely opening the door]] of his ministerial car in October 2016<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/16/chris-grayling-could-face-private-prosecution-for-dooring-cyclist|title=Chris Grayling could face private prosecution for 'dooring' cyclist|first=Gwyn|last=Topham|date=16 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016|work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38340125|title=Chris Grayling knocked cyclist off bike outside Parliament|date=16 December 2016| work=BBC News|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref> and misspending £2.7&nbsp;billion of public funds over his tenure as Transport Secretary.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cowburn|first=Ashley|date=1 March 2019|title=Chris Grayling has 'wasted £2.7bn in political blunders', says Labour|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chris-grayling-ferry-contracts-blunders-cost-a8803296.html|access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> Because of such reports, he became known by the moniker "Failing Grayling" used by ''[[The Guardian]]'',<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Crace|first=John|date=11 October 2018|title=Failing Grayling never needs any help to make a fool of himself|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/11/failing-grayling-transport-secretary-never-requires-help-make-fool-himself|access-date=26 February 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'',<ref name=":1">{{cite news|last=Moore|first=James|date=12 February 2019|title=Chris Grayling's stunning incompetence sends the worst message to business about Brexit Britain|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/chris-grayling-brexit-no-deal-ferry-contract-seaborne-eurotunnel-cabinet-a8775206.html|access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> opposition MPs<ref name=":2">{{cite news|last=Payne|first=Sebastian|date=11 February 2019|title=Chris Grayling is a symbol of what is going wrong in Britain|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0e378da2-2def-11e9-8744-e7016697f225 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/0e378da2-2def-11e9-8744-e7016697f225 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> and allegedly his own Cabinet colleagues.<ref name=":3">{{cite news|last=Lazenby|first=Peter|date=7 March 2019|title=Failing Grayling blamed for extra carriage postponement at Northern Rail|newspaper=[[Morning Star (British newspaper)|Morning Star]]|url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/failing-grayling-northern-trains|access-date=9 March 2019|archive-date=7 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307214412/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/failing-grayling-northern-trains|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== London metro services: December 2016 ===
In December 2016, Grayling blocked a move by the [[Mayor of London]] [[Sadiq Khan]] to give control of the metro services run by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]] to [[Transport for London]]. A leaked 2013 letter revealed Grayling had previously written to then-London mayor [[Boris Johnson]] saying he opposed such a move because it could put those services "in the clutches of a Labour mayor". The leak led to Grayling being accused of putting his party's political interests over those of the public and commuters, as well as members of his own party calling for his resignation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mason|first1=Rowena|title=Rail letter leak: Chris Grayling accused of putting politics over people|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/07/chris-grayling-accused-of-putting-politics-over-people-in-rail-letter-leak|access-date=17 December 2016|work=The Guardian|date=7 December 2016}}</ref>

=== Railway electrification cancellations: 2017–2018 ===
[[File:Official portrait of Chris Grayling crop 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Official portrait of Chris Grayling in 2017]]
On the last day before parliament closed for its summer recess in 2017, Grayling acknowledged that he had cancelled multiple railway electrification schemes in the north of England that had been promised by [[David Cameron]] and [[George Osborne]].<ref name="yp-lies">{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport-secretary-accused-of-lying-over-scrapping-of-rail-electrification-schemes-1-9087599|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211224541/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport-secretary-accused-of-lying-over-scrapping-of-rail-electrification-schemes-1-9087599|archive-date=11 February 2019|title=Transport Secretary accused of lying over scrapping of rail electrification schemes |work= Yorkshire Post|date=11 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/grayling-throws-three-major-electrification-schemes-out-the-window|title=Grayling throws three major electrification plans out the window|date=20 July 2017|website=Railtechnologymagazine.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40669869|title=Rail electrification plans scrapped|date=20 July 2017|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/northern-powerhouse-manchester-leeds-electrification-scheme-scrapped-bimodal-trains-a7855046.html|title=Manchester-Leeds rail electrification is too hard and could be cancelled, Transport Secretary says|date=22 July 2017|newspaper=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/outrage-minister-says-plans-manchester-13368799|title=Manchester-Leeds rail electrification plan set to be downgraded|first=Pat|last=Hurst|date=21 July 2017|website=men}}</ref> In January 2018, Grayling was criticised by railway passengers and by [[Transport Select Committee]] members for his decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/chris-grayling-rail-electrification-gwr-great-western-diesel-electric-trains-trancks-damage-a8173116.html|title=Chris Grayling grilled over rail electrification as delays lead to soaring costs|date=22 January 2018|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|last=Calder|first= Simon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/grayling-no-obvious-passenger-benefit-to-midland-mainline-electrification|title=Grayling: 'No obvious passenger benefit' to Midland Main Line electrification|website=Railtechnologymagazine.com}}</ref> In March 2018, it emerged that [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] records showed Grayling to have made the decision several months earlier in 2017 than previously acknowledged, but had suppressed the decision during the [[2017 United Kingdom general election]] and for the remainder of the parliamentary session.<ref name="yp-lies"/>

=== Railway timetable change and vote of no confidence: May–June 2018 ===
In summer 2018, problems introducing a new timetable caused widespread disruption and the cancellation of 10% of trains on Northern and Thameslink.<ref name="5failings"/> The Chief Executive of [[Govia Thameslink Railway]], Charles Horton, resigned,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44497080 |title=Govia Thameslink chief executive Charles Horton resigns|date=15 June 2018| work=BBC News|access-date=21 June 2018}}</ref> and Grayling faced a [[Motions of no confidence in the United Kingdom|vote of confidence]] in the [[House of Commons]] on 19 June 2018, with the resulting [[Division of the assembly#United Kingdom|division]] 305–285 in Grayling's favour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-06-19/debates/BEAD9CD9-195A-49EB-B333-60987BF95E6A/ConfidenceInTheSecretaryOfStateForTransport|title=Confidence in the Secretary of State for Transport|date=19 June 2018| publisher=UK Government|access-date=21 June 2018}}</ref> Govia Thameslink did not need to pay performance penalties for this disruption after an agreement made in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.londonreconnections.com/2018/the-timetable-change-accepting-the-blame/ |title=The Timetable Change: Accepting the Blame |publisher=London Reconnections |first=John |last=Bull |date=4 June 2018 |access-date=1 March 2019 }}</ref>

=== Gatwick Airport drone incident: December 2018 ===
Following the December 2018 [[Gatwick Airport drone incident]], ''The Times'' reported that Grayling had ignored "numerous warnings" about the threat posed by drones, halting draft legislation due for publication in early 2019 thereby allowing civil servants to be diverted to Brexit related tasks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/grayling-put-drone-law-on-hold-before-gatwick-flight-chaos-9tkqck0tg|title=Grayling put drone law on hold before Gatwick chaos|work=[[The Times]]|first1=Oliver|last1= Wright|first2= Fiona |last2=Hamilton|first3= Graeme |last3=Paton|date=2 December 2018|access-date=24 December 2018}}</ref> According to ''The Daily Telegraph'', the RAF offered the assistance of a specialist anti-drone team almost immediately but Grayling's department – which would have had to pay for the service – was reluctant to accept.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/12/23/dft-accused-delaying-crack-raf-team-taking-gatwick-drone/?li_source=LI&li_medium=li-recommendation-widget|title=DfT accused of delaying crack RAF team from taking on Gatwick drone|first=Charles |last=Hymas|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 December 2018|access-date=24 December 2018}}</ref>

=== Seaborne Freight: 2018–2019 ===
On 29 December 2018, it emerged that Grayling's department had awarded £46.6m to French firm [[Brittany Ferries]], £42.5m to Danish shipping firm [[DFDS]], and £13.8m to British firm [[Seaborne Freight]], to provide additional cross-channel freight capacity in case of a "no-deal" Brexit on 29 March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46704522|title=UK to spend £103m on no-deal ferries|first=Joe|last=Miller|date=29 December 2018|access-date=3 March 2019|website=BBC News}}</ref> On 2 January 2019, it was reported that Seaborne Freight had never run a ferry service and owned no ships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-46714984|title=No-deal Brexit ferry contract queried|first1=Katie|last1=Hope|first2=Joe|last2=Miller|date=30 December 2018|access-date=3 March 2019|website=BBC News}}</ref> The [[Road Haulage Association]] said the firm had an impossible timescale in which to "source ferries, hire and train staff and link with relevant authorities".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46735303|title=Grayling defends no-deal Brexit ferry contract|work=BBC News|date=2 January 2019|access-date=2 January 2019}}</ref> Despite Grayling's assurance that the usual procurement due diligence procedures had been followed, it was later revealed that Seaborne Freight issued terms and conditions designed for a food delivery business, not ferries;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46748193|title=Brexit ferry firm Seaborne in terms and conditions gaffe|work=BBC News|date=3 January 2019|access-date=3 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/03/brexit-freight-ferry-firm-appears-all-geared-up-to-deliver-pizzas|title=Brexit freight ferry firm appears all geared up – to deliver pizzas|work=The Guardian|first=Ben |last=Quinn|date=3 January 2019|access-date=3 January 2019}}</ref> that its chief executive previously ran a ship chartering business that was forced into liquidation following court petitions from [[HM Revenue and Customs]] (HMRC); and that auditors performing the due diligence checks had reported serious concerns about the contract.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cowburn |first=Ashley |date=13 February 2019 |title=Theresa May faces questions over no-deal Brexit ferry contract to firm without any ferries |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-theresa-may-no-deal-ferry-contract-chris-grayling-pmqs-corbyn-labour-a8777431.html |access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref> In relation to the prior court action by HMRC against Seaborne Freight's chief executive, the amount of unpaid tax was not reported, but the former company had a total of £1.78&nbsp;million in unpaid debts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rovnick |first=Naomi |display-authors=etal |date=4 January 2019 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2e51c74c-1035-11e9-acdc-4d9976f1533b |title=Pressure grows on Grayling over Seaborne Freight and bosses |work=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref>

Grayling's unilateral decision to use [[Ostend]], instead of Calais, as the continental terminal for some ferry services, was not appreciated in Calais, whose port chairman told Grayling he was no longer welcome there.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/02/05/chris-grayling-banned-calais-brexit-row-ports-chairman/|title=Chris Grayling banned from Calais after Brexit row with port's chairman |work=The Daily Telegraph|first=James |last=Rothwell|date=5 February 2019|access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref>

Seaborne Freight's contract was cancelled on 8 February 2019 by Grayling's department after the Irish firm, [[Arklow Shipping]], which was secretly intended to run the contract decided to pull out.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/09/government-cancels-brexit-ferry-contract-with-no-ship-firm|title=Government cancels Brexit ferry contract with no-ship firm|first=Damien |last=Gayle|work=The Guardian |date=9 February 2019|access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> The collapse of the contract led to calls from both sides of parliament for Grayling's dismissal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/09/sack-chris-grayling-ferry-fiasco-seaborne-freight-transport-secretary|title=Brexit: sack Grayling over ferry fiasco, demand MPs|first1=Michael |last1=Savage|first2= Damien |last2=Gayle |first3=Toby |last3=Helm|work=The Guardian|date=10 February 2019|access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> On 13 February 2019, Grayling's department said that, following the collapse of the Seaborne Freight contract, it had "run out of time" to secure the substantial additional cross-channel transport capacity that could be needed in the event of a no-deal Brexit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Merrick |first=Rob |date=13 February 2019 |title=Government admits it has 'run out of time' to find ships to bring emergency supplies after no-deal Brexit |website=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-no-deal-planning-emergency-supplies-seaborne-freight-chris-grayling-a8777766.html |access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref>

[[Eurotunnel]], operator of the [[Channel Tunnel]], initiated legal action against the Department for Transport, claiming that the awarding of ferry contracts for the event of a no-deal Brexit had been "secretive and flawed", and that Eurotunnel, which also operates freight services across the English Channel, had not had the opportunity to compete. The matter was settled out of court, with Eurotunnel receiving £33 million as part of a deal in which the company will provide freight services in the event of a no-deal Brexit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brady |first=Dominic |date=1 March 2019 |url=https://www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2019/03/grayling-agrees-ps33m-out-court-settlement-eurotunnel |title=Grayling agrees £33m out of court settlement with Eurotunnel |work=[[Public Finance (magazine)|Public Finance]] |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="5failings">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/01/chris-graylings-five-biggest-failings |newspaper=The Guardian |title=Chris Grayling's five biggest failings |first=Haroon |last=Siddique |date=1 March 2019 |access-date=1 March 2019 }}</ref><ref name="2019-03-02-indy">{{cite news|last=Kentish|first= Benjamin |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chris-grayling-inquiry-ferry-brexit-probation-eurotunnel-transport-seaborne-freight-a8804246.html |title=Chris Grayling: Tory minister faces parliamentary inquiries amid fresh calls to resign over Brexit ferry fiasco |work=The Independent |date=30 November 2018 |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> This caused renewed calls for Grayling's dismissal.<ref name="2019-03-02-indy"/>

On 16 March 2019, it emerged that the ferry companies engaged by Grayling would receive an additional £28m in the event of Brexit being delayed beyond 29 March 2019, which it was.<ref>{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Joe |date=16 March 2019 |title=Botched Brexit ferry contracts could cost taxpayers £28m more |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-ferry-contracts-cost-taxpayer-a8826116.html |website=The Independent}}</ref>

===Delays and cost overruns to introduction of Class 800 trains===
In March 2019, [[Lord Adonis]], former Labour transport minister, was critical of the delay in implementing services on the [[East Coast Mainline]], using [[British Rail Class 800|Class 800]] trains. The trains were ordered ten years before services commenced. Delays were caused when it was found the trains interfered with trackside signalling equipment. Adonis said, "They had 10 years to get these signalling issues right."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-47570483|title=Delayed trains will start service in May|date=14 March 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-48268860|title=New trains launch on East Coast Main Line|date=14 May 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref> Similar trains, introduced by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] had cost twice the estimated amount. Grayling said, "These new state-of-the-art trains show our commitment to put passengers at the heart of everything that we do and will carry people across Britain, from Swansea to Aberdeen and London to Inverness." The service, planned to run to Swansea, has only so far{{clarify timeframe|date=August 2023}} reached Cardiff.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/13/great-western-mainline-railway-upgrade-electrification-class-800-trains|title=Great Western mainline: what does a £10bn rail upgrade buy you?|last=Topham|first=Gwyn|date=13 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Grayling travelled on the first Class 800 train, operated by Great Western Railway. It set off 25 minutes late, arrived 41 minutes late, and had no air-conditioning when it arrived.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/16/delays-and-drips-mark-great-western-railways-new-train-launch|title=Delays and drips mark Great Western Railway's new train launch|last=Topham|first=Gwyn|date=16 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The air conditioning was switched off after it leaked liquid into the carriages. Grayling declined to travel on the first Class 800 to run on the [[East Coast Main Line]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/14/first-of-new-azuma-fleet-ready-for-london-to-leeds-departure|title=First of new Azuma trains ready for London to Leeds departure|last=Topham|first=Gwyn|date=14 May 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 May 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Post-ministerial career==
[[Boris Johnson]] reportedly hoped for Grayling to be voted in as [[Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament|Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee]] by the narrow Conservative majority sitting on the committee.<ref name="Woodcock 2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-chris-grayling-intelligence-security-committee-gchq-a9393451.html|title=Boris Johnson warned not to make 'mockery' of security watchdog by appointing Chris Grayling|last=Woodcock|first=Andrew|date=11 March 2020|website=[[The Independent]]|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Fisher 2020">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/tories-angry-at-no10-plan-to-give-chris-grayling-intelligence-role-qxzcx95hn|title=Tories angry at No 10 plan to give Chris Grayling intelligence role|last=Fisher|first=Lucy|date=12 March 2020|website=[[The Times]]|url-access=subscription|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Sabbagh 2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/11/chris-grayling-to-head-body-that-will-have-final-say-over-russia-report|title=Labour anger over Chris Grayling's appointment to intelligence committee|last=Sabbagh|first=Dan|date=11 March 2020|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2020/03/why-chris-grayling-will-not-necessarily-be-charge-russian-interference-report |last=Grylls |first=George |title=Why Chris Grayling will not necessarily be in charge of the Russian interference report |work=[[New Statesman]] |date=11 March 2020 |access-date=22 June 2020}}</ref> The possible appointment prompted criticism from fellow Conservative MPs, acting [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] leader [[Ed Davey]] and [[Shadow Defence Secretary]] [[Nia Griffith]], who said his appointment would "make a mockery" of the committee.<ref name="Woodcock 2020" /><ref name="Fisher 2020" /><ref name="Sabbagh 2020" /> There were fears it would be a "power grab" by Johnson and his senior adviser [[Dominic Cummings]] designed to avoid accountability over their links to Russia outlined in a [[Intelligence and Security Committee Russia report|suppressed report]].<ref name="Woodcock 2020" /><ref name="Fisher 2020" /><ref name="Sabbagh 2020" /> On 15 July 2020, opposition committee members voted for independently minded Conservative [[Julian Lewis]] as chair which, together with his vote, secured a majority for him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53422010|title=Russia report: New intelligence committee chair loses Tory whip|work=BBC News|date=16 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref>

In May 2020, Grayling alongside Mark Cecil were appointed trustees of the [[National Portrait Gallery, London|National Portrait Gallery]] by Johnson.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 May 2020 |title='As reassuring as Mr Bean'? London's National Portrait Gallery appointment attracts criticism |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2020/05/27/as-reassuring-as-mr-bean-londons-national-portrait-gallery-appointment-attracts-criticism |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=The Art Newspaper – International art news and events}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=29 May 2020 |title=Chris Grayling, culture vulture? |url=https://www.apollo-magazine.com/chris-grayling-culture-vulture-and-npg-trustee/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=Apollo Magazine }}</ref> Both were reappointed as trustees by prime minister [[Rishi Sunak]] in December 2023 for another four year term.<ref>{{cite web |title=Two Trustees reappointed to the National Portrait Gallery |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-trustees-reappointed-to-the-national-portrait-gallery |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=GOV.UK }}</ref>

After Grayling's failure to be elected as Intelligence and Security Committee chair, he was criticised by colleagues who referred back to his previous track record as a minister, and who ''[[The Spectator]]'' reported as saying "only Grayling could lose a rigged election".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/-failing-grayling-thwarted-by-his-own-party|url-status=live|author=Steerpike (The Spectator's gossip columnist)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129042923/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/-failing-grayling-thwarted-by-his-own-party/|archive-date=29 November 2022|title='Failing Grayling' thwarted by his own party|work=[[The Spectator]]|date=15 July 2020}}</ref> Julian Lewis had the party whip withdrawn by Boris Johnson.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dr Julian Lewis has Tory whip removed after running against PM's security committee chair pick|url=https://news.sky.com/story/dr-julian-lewis-has-tory-whip-removed-after-running-against-pms-security-committee-chair-pick-12029301|access-date=28 July 2020|work=Sky News}}</ref> On 21 July 2020, the committee released the previously repressed report which outlined how the government had failed to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 EU referendum.<ref>{{cite news|date=21 July 2020|title=UK 'badly underestimated' Russian threat|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53484344|access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> On 28 August, it was reported Grayling had resigned from the committee.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tominey|first=Camilla|date=28 August 2020|title=Chris Grayling quits intelligence committee after losing the chance for chairman's role in coup|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/28/chris-grayling-quit-intelligence-committee-losing-chance-chairmans/|access-date=28 August 2020|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chris Grayling resigns from Intelligence and Security Committee|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/chris-grayling-resign-intelligence-security-committee-quit-a9694876.html|access-date=28 August 2020|work=The Independent|last1=Woodcock|first1=Andrew|last2=Wood|first2=Vincent}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' commented that sources familiar with the matter had indicated he had "gone off in a sulk" and had no desire to serve on the committee as an ordinary member.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 August 2020|title=Chris Grayling resigns from intelligence and security committee|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/28/chris-grayling-resigns-from|access-date=28 August 2020|work=The Guardian|last=Sabbagh|first=Dan}}</ref>

On 17 September 2020, it was announced that Grayling had been appointed to a £100,000-per-annum 7-hour-per-week job advising the [[British Virgin Islands]]-domiciled [[Hutchison Port Holdings]] Limited "on its environmental strategy and its engagement with local enterprise bodies".<ref>{{cite news|title=Chris Grayling to advise ports operator in £100,000 role|website=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54185180|date=17 September 2020|access-date=17 September 2020}}</ref>

In October 2023, Grayling announced he had been diagnosed with [[prostate cancer]] and would therefore not seek re-election at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]].<ref name="not seeking re election">{{cite news| last=Collins | first=Lauren | title=Surrey MP Chris Grayling to step down after cancer diagnosis | website=BBC News | date=6 October 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-67034851}}</ref> He said: "Earlier this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and although the treatment has been successful, it has prompted me to think that after 22 years it is time for a change".<ref name="not seeking re election" /> In March 2024, he appealed to [[South Western Railway]] to increase train services in his constituency during morning rush hours due to most trains being full.<ref>{{cite web |date=25 March 2024 |title=Surrey MP appeals for more train services in constituency |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjmx7g7kpjyo |access-date=29 March 2024 |website=BBC News}}</ref> In May 2024, the Conservative Environment Network awarded Grayling the annual Sam Barker Memorial Prize for his efforts to reduce deforestation and maintain British wildlife habitats.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harvey |first=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=22 May 2024 |title=Chris Grayling named top green MP by Conservative Environment Network |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/22/chris-grayling-named-top-green-mp-by-conservative-environment-network |access-date=21 June 2024 |website=[[The Guardian]] |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Peerage===
After standing down as an MP, Grayling was nominated for a [[life peer]]age in the [[2024 Dissolution Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette |date=7 August 2024 |issue=64480 |page=15222 |supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dissolution Peerages 2024 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dissolution-peerages-2024 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Whannel |first=Kate |date=4 July 2024 |title=Theresa May and 'bionic' MP awarded peerages |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c84975xgdwlo |work=BBC News |language=en |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref> He was created ''Baron Grayling,  of Ashtead in the County of Surrey'', on 20 August 2024.<ref>{{London Gazette |date=27 August 2024 |issue=64498 |page=16458}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Grayling is married to Susan Dillistone and they have two children. {{As of|2016}}, he lives in [[Ashtead]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/who-is-chris-grayling-meet-the-new-transport-secretary/|title=Who is Chris Grayling? Meet the new Transport Secretary|date=26 July 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=15 February 2019|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

== Publications ==
* ''The Bridgewater Heritage: The Story of Bridgewater Estates'' by Christopher Grayling, 1983, Bridgewater Estates PLC
* ''A Land Fit for Heroes: Life in England After the Great War'' by Christopher Grayling, 1985, Buchan & Enright {{ISBN|0-907675-68-9}}
* ''Holt's: The Story of Joseph Holt'' by Christopher Grayling, 1985, Joseph Holt PLC
* ''Just Another Star?: Anglo-American Relations Since 1945'' by Christopher Grayling and Christopher Langdon, 1987, Virgin Books {{ISBN|0-245-54603-0}}
* ''Insight Guide Waterways of Europe'' contribution by Chris Grayling, 1989, Apa Publications {{ISBN|0-88729-825-7}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote|Chris Grayling}}
{{Commons category|Chris Grayling}}
* [http://www.chrisgrayling.net Grayling's official constituency website]
* [http://www.epsomconservatives.com Epsom and Ewell Conservatives website]
* {{UK MP links | parliament = chris-grayling/1413 | hansard = mr-chris-grayling | hansardcurr = 3542 | guardian = 5903/chris-grayling | publicwhip = Chris_Grayling | theywork = chris_grayling | record = Chris-Grayling/Epsom-and-Ewell/221 | bbc = 25172.stm | journalisted = chris-grayling }}
* [https://www.theguardian.com/profile/chrisgrayling Article archive] at ''[[The Guardian]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130630052537/http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/g/21485/Chris%2BGRAYLING.aspx Listing in ''Debrett's People of Today'']

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