Keir Starmer's head of comms Steph Driver quits in fresh blow to PM

Keir Starmer's top communications chief is leaving Downing Street in a fresh blow to the PM.

The PM's head of communications Steph Driver, who has worked closely with Mr Starmer for almost five years, is the latest senior aide to leave No10 after a series of departures. She leaves Downing Street barely a week after the PM lost his director of strategy, Paul Ovenden.

Mr Starmer was also forced to sack his UK Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, earlier this month after new emails revealed the extent of his relationship with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. James Lyons, who previously shared the comms chief role with Ms Driver, also left No10 at the start of the month.

The PM is battling to stabilise his No10 operation after a series of departures. Mr Starmer reshuffled his top team at the start of the month after a fractious first year, with a new role created for highly rated minister Darren Jones.

READ MORE: Keir Starmer's senior aide resigns over 'explicit messages about Diane Abbott'

Mr Jones - previously Chancellor Rachel Reeves's deputy at the Treasury - became Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in Downing Street. It followed him moving his principal private secretary Nin Pandit, to a new role focused on policy delivery.

Mr Starmer brought in Tim Allan, an adviser to Tony Blair in No 10, as his most senior comms chief - executive director of government comms. The Guardian reported that Ms Driver, after discussions about the new comms team structure, decided to step down following a period of leave for a family bereavement.

Mr Starmer said: “Steph Driver has been a loyal and valued member of my team for almost five years. Steph played a leading role in transforming the Labour party and delivering our historic general election win. I will for ever be grateful for her calm, wise counsel, leadership and humour. I wish her all the best in her undoubted onward success.”

Ms Driver said: “It has been an honour to work with and advise Keir through opposition and into government. Being part of the team to rebuild and rebrand the Labour party before securing an historic general election victory is an achievement and experience like no other.

“I’m also proud of what this government has already delivered, and thank the sharp and talented No10 press team for their hard work and support during my tenure.

“I’m grateful to the prime minister for his continued faith in me and my work, and for his offer of an open door in the future. His Labour government has my unwavering support.”

Ms Driver, who worked closely with Mr Starmer in opposition for years, joined No10 as deputy director of communications after Labour won the election last year. When head of comms Matthew Doyle left in March, she later became co-director of comms with Mr Lyons, until his departure.

This month, Mr Starmer dealt a fresh blow not long after Mr Ovenden resigned over leaked messages where he made sexually explicit jokes about veteran MP Diane Abbott.

Since being elected, Mr Starmer also lost his chief of staff Sue Gray after she became the focal point of negative media coverage and speculation.

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