Tim Allan, Keir Starmer’s director of communications, has stepped down after just five months in the role, following the resignation of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney the previous day. Allan stated he was standing down to allow a new No 10 team to be built, wishing the prime minister and his team success. Downing Street confirmed it was Allan’s own decision to leave.
The departure adds to turmoil in Starmer’s administration amid a row over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, due to his links to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer addressed Downing Street staff on Monday, reiterating his regret over Mandelson’s appointment and insisting the government could “go forward from here”. A spokesperson denied the prime minister was resigning.
Allan, a former deputy press secretary for Tony Blair and founder of PR agency Portland, returned to Downing Street in September as part of a previous shake-up. His appointment had been controversial due to Portland’s client list. His exit follows that of James Lyons, who had been director of strategic communications for only a year, and Steph Driver, who quit after Allan was recruited above her.
McSweeney resigned on Sunday after pressure from Labour MPs, taking “full responsibility” for advising Mandelson’s appointment. Senior Labour sources said his departure leaves Starmer exposed ahead of the Gorton and Denton byelection. The Conservatives have attacked Starmer’s judgment, with leader Kemi Badenoch accusing him of allowing McSweeney to “carry the can” for his own decision.
