Politics · 9 February 2026
Starmer under pressure after communications chief resigns
Chris McAndrew via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Downing Street is in the throes of a fresh crisis as Tim Allan, the Prime Minister’s hand-picked communications chief, has stepped down after a remarkably short tenure. This high-profile exit, coming hot on the heels of Morgan McSweeney’s departure, follows internal friction over Peter Mandelson’s new role in Washington. While the Cabinet fears a leadership contest would alienate the British public, opponents insist Starmer’s grip on power is failing. Allan claims his exit provides space for a vital administrative overhaul.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs