"The departure of Driver, who spent five years at Starmer's side as communications chief when he was opposition leader, before becoming deputy director and then director of communications at Downing Street, comes little more than a week after another key figure, Paul Ovendon, quit as the PM's director of political strategy. Also this month, James Lyons, who was the No 10 director of communications for strategy Driver focused on day-to-day matters left after only a year in the job."
"A subsequent reshuffle of the comms operation led Starmer to bring in Tim Allan, an adviser to Tony Blair in No 10 who went on to fund the PR firm Portland, as executive director of government communications. While Driver and Lyons had equal status, Allan's job made him more senior. Driver was seen as particularly valued and trusted by Starmer, and it is understood the prime minister was among a series of senior figures who tried to persuade her to stay."
Steph Driver resigned as head of communications at Downing Street after five years working closely with Keir Starmer, having served as communications chief in opposition and later as deputy director and director of communications in government. Her departure followed recent exits of senior aides, including Paul Ovendon and James Lyons, and a reshuffle that elevated Tim Allan to executive director of government communications, making him senior to Driver and Lyons. Driver was highly regarded and reportedly courted to stay by senior figures, but chose to leave after discussions about the new team structure and a period of leave for a family bereavement. Starmer and Driver issued statements praising the campaign achievements and mutual respect.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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