Starmer's director of communications Tim Allan quits
Tim Allan, the Director of Communications at 10 Downing Street, resigned on Monday 9 February 2026. His departure came just 24 hours after the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, also stepped down.
Mr Allan, who had been in the role for only five months, stated he was leaving to "allow a new No 10 team to be built." His resignation marks the fourth change at the top of the Downing Street communications team since July 2024.
đïž A Government in Crisis
The double resignation follows a week of intense pressure over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States.
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The McSweeney Exit: Morgan McSweeney resigned on Sunday 8 February, taking "full responsibility" for advising Sir Keir Starmer to appoint Mandelson despite knowing about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
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The "Lies" Defence: Sir Keir has maintained that he was "lied to" by Lord Mandelson during the vetting process regarding the "depth and darkness" of his friendship with the convicted sex offender.
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Political Fallout: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has described the Prime Minister’s position as "untenable," accusing him of allowing his staff to "carry the can" for his own poor judgment.
đ„ The New Leadership Team
In an effort to stabilise the government, Sir Keir has appointed two joint acting chiefs of staff to replace Mr McSweeney:
đ What Happens Next?
Sir Keir addressed Downing Street staff on Monday morning, insisting that he would not resign and that the government must "go forward from here" to prove politics can be a "force for good."
The Prime Minister is expected to face a difficult meeting with the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) this evening, where he will attempt to shore up support among his own MPs. He has already promised a full overhaul of the government's vetting and appointments process to prevent a similar scandal in the future.
