Keir Starmer is facing a setback as his top communications chief at Downing Street is stepping down, following a string of high-profile departures from the Prime Minister’s team. Steph Driver, who has been closely collaborating with Mr. Starmer for nearly five years, is the latest senior aide to exit No10. This move comes shortly after the departure of Paul Ovenden, the PM’s director of strategy, just a week ago.
Additionally, Peter Mandelson, the UK Ambassador to the US, was dismissed by Mr. Starmer earlier this month due to revelations about his association with Jeffrey Epstein. James Lyons, who previously shared the communications chief position with Ms. Driver, also left No10 at the beginning of the month.
In an effort to stabilize operations at No10 after a series of exits, Mr. Starmer reshuffled his top team earlier this month, introducing a new role for highly regarded minister Darren Jones. Jones, formerly Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s deputy at the Treasury, now serves as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in Downing Street, with his principal private secretary Nin Pandit transitioning to a role focusing on policy delivery.
Tim Allan, an advisor to Tony Blair during his time in No 10, was appointed by Mr. Starmer as the new executive director of government communications. Following discussions on the restructuring of the communications team, Steph Driver decided to resign after a period of leave due to a family bereavement, as reported by The Guardian.
Expressing his gratitude for her contributions, Mr. Starmer praised Steph Driver for her pivotal role in the transformation of the Labour party and the success in the general election. In response, Ms. Driver acknowledged the honor of working with Mr. Starmer through the transition to government and commended the diligent No10 press team for their support.
Ms. Driver, who initially joined No10 as deputy director of communications after Labour’s election victory last year, later assumed the role of co-director of communications alongside Mr. Lyons. The recent resignations add to the challenges faced by Mr. Starmer, including the departure of Mr. Ovenden following inappropriate messages and the exit of chief of staff Sue Gray amid negative media attention.