Keir Starmer’s chief communications officer is departing Downing Street, dealing another setback to the Prime Minister. Steph Driver, the PM’s head of communications, who has collaborated closely with Mr. Starmer for nearly five years, is the latest high-ranking aide to exit No10 following a wave of departures. Her departure comes shortly after the PM’s director of strategy, Paul Ovenden, also stepped down.
Furthermore, Mr. Starmer was compelled to remove his UK Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, earlier this month after the disclosure of new emails detailing his association with disgraced criminal Jeffrey Epstein. James Lyons, who previously shared the communications chief role with Ms. Driver, also departed from No10 at the beginning of the month.
The PM is currently working to stabilize his No10 team following a series of departures. Mr. Starmer revamped his top team at the onset of the month after a tumultuous first year, introducing a new position for highly regarded minister Darren Jones.
Formerly serving as Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s deputy at the Treasury, Mr. Jones assumed the role of Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in Downing Street. This move followed his relocation of principal private secretary Nin Pandit to a new position concentrating on policy implementation.
Mr. Starmer enlisted Tim Allan, an advisor to Tony Blair during his time in No 10, as his senior communications chief – executive director of government communications. According to The Guardian, Ms. Driver opted to step down after deliberations regarding the new communications team structure, following a period of absence due to a family bereavement.
Expressing his appreciation, Mr. Starmer stated, “Steph Driver has been a dedicated and valued member of my team for nearly five years. Steph played a pivotal role in the transformation of the Labour party and the achievement of our historic general election victory. I will always be thankful for her composed guidance, leadership, and humor. I wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
In response, Ms. Driver remarked, “It has been a privilege to work with and advise Keir through opposition and into government. Contributing to the rebuilding and rebranding of the Labour party before securing a momentous general election triumph has been an unparalleled achievement and experience.”
She added, “I am also proud of the accomplishments of this government thus far and extend my gratitude to the diligent and talented No10 press team for their dedication and support during my tenure. I appreciate the Prime Minister’s continued trust in me and my work, along with his offer of an open door in the future. His Labour government has my steadfast support.”
Ms. Driver, who collaborated closely with Mr. Starmer during their time in the opposition, joined No10 as the deputy director of communications following Labour’s election victory last year. After head of communications Matthew Doyle departed in March, she later assumed the role of co-director of communications with Mr. Lyons until his departure.
Recently, Mr. Starmer faced a setback following the resignation of Mr. Ovenden, who stepped down over leaked messages containing sexually explicit jokes about veteran MP Diane Abbott. Additionally, since taking office, Mr. Starmer also parted ways with his chief of staff Sue Gray amid negative media coverage and speculation.