Tim Allan, Keir Starmer’s director of communications, has stepped down after only five months in the role, following the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Allan said in a brief statement: “I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success.”
The resignation is another blow to Starmer’s position amid a furious row over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, despite his links to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A Downing Street spokesperson said Allan’s decision was his own and that the prime minister is not resigning, adding: “He is getting on with the job of delivering change across the country.”
Allan, a former deputy press secretary for Tony Blair and founder of PR agency Portland, replaced James Lyons in September after only a year. His appointment was controversial due to Portland’s clients. Shortly after he arrived, No 10 head of day-to-day communications Steph Driver quit, reportedly over being overlooked.
McSweeney resigned on Sunday after pressure from Labour MPs, saying he took “full responsibility” for advising the Mandelson appointment. Senior Labour sources said his departure leaves the prime minister dangerously exposed ahead of policy challenges and the Gorton and Denton by-election.
In an address to staff, Starmer expressed regret over Mandelson and thanked McSweeney, saying: “His dedication, his commitment and his loyalty to our party and our country was second to none.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of letting McSweeney “carry the can” for his own decision.
