Tim Allan, Sir Keir Starmer’s director of communications, has resigned after just five months in the role, following the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney over the Peter Mandelson appointment scandal.
Mr Allan said in a 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.’ A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed it was his own decision to leave.
Mr McSweeney resigned on Sunday, taking ‘full responsibility’ for advising the prime minister to appoint Lord Mandelson as ambassador to Washington despite his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Senior Labour sources said Mr McSweeney’s exit leaves Starmer exposed ahead of key tests including the Gorton and Denton by-election.
In an address to staff, Sir Keir expressed regret over the Mandelson decision and paid tribute to Mr McSweeney, saying: ‘We changed the Labour party together. We won a general election together.’ He insisted the government would continue delivering change across the country.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of allowing Mr McSweeney to ‘carry the can’ for his own decision, adding: ‘It is his judgment and the fact that he has been dishonest.’
