Keir Starmer’s communications chief quits after just nine months in Downing Street
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PM’s communications chief resigns after just months in role
- Matthew Doyle is stepping down as Sir Keir Starmer’s communications chief after nine months, making him the second senior team member to leave in under a year.
- Mr Doyle, a former special advisor to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, said he was leaving as he had stabilised No. 10’s communications strategy.
- In an email to his team, Mr Doyle expressed pride in his role in returning the Labour party to government and said it was time to "pass the baton on”.
- His responsibilities will be divided between Steph Driver, the deputy communications director, and James Lyons, a former TikTok communications chief.
- It comes after Sir Keir’s former chief of staff Sue Gray was forced out in a power struggle with her successor Morgan McSweeney in October 2024.