Tim Allan Quits As Keir Starmer's Director Of Communications
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Tim Allan has resigned as Keir Starmer's director of communications, further deepening the crisis facing the Prime Minister's premiership.
In a statement on Monday, Allan said he had resigned to allow Starmer to build a "new" team in 10 Downing Street.
His resignation comes just a day after Morgan McSweeney resigned as the PM's chief of staff on Sunday over his role in the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Allan was in the job for just five months.
"I have decided to stand down and allow a new No 10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success," he said in a statement.
Starmer is fighting for his political life amid severe pressure over his decision to bring Mandelson into government despite being aware of his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Last week, the PM said he knew about the former cabinet minister's links to the paedophile financier when he made him the UK's chief representative in Washington, but said that Mandelson lied about the depth and extent of their relationship.
The admission triggered widespread outrage in the Parliamentary Labour Party and renewed leadership speculation.
Addressing No 10 staff this morning, Starmer made clear that he would not be resigning, saying they were united by a “driving purpose” of “public duty”.
“We must prove that politics can be a force for good. I believe it can. I believe it is. We go forward from here. We go with confidence as we continue changing the country," he said.
He added that Labour's landslide victory at the 2024 general election would not have been possible without McSweeney, who led the party's campaign strategy.
“His dedication, his commitment and his loyalty to our party and our country was second to none. And I want to thank him for his service.”
Later today, the Prime Minister is expected to address Labour MPs as part of a wider bid to shore up his position.
