Starmer’s comms director steps down day after his chief of staff quits

Sir Keir Starmer’s director of communications has stepped down the day after the prime minister’s most senior aide quit.

Tim Allan, a former adviser to Tony Blair, had only started at No 10 in September in a bid to steady the ship.

He is Sir Keir’s fourth head of communications since Labour won the election in July 2024.

Mr Allan said: “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.”

His departure comes less than 24 hours after Sir Keir’s right-hand man, Morgan McSweeney, resigned over his role in appointing Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US after further links to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein were revealed.

The resignation of two of Sir Keir’s inner circle will prompt further calls for the prime minister to also go.

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