Keir Starmer's top comms chief leaves No10 after year in role

Keir Starmer's top comms chief is leaving Downing Street after serving just under a year - as the PM reshuffles his No10 team.

James Lyons, a former Mirror journalist and Tiktok comms adviser who began working for the Prime Minister last October, said it was an "honour" to serve the Labour government.

It comes as Mr Starmer announces a shake-up to his Downing Street operation after a fractious first year, with a new role created for highly rated minister Darren Jones.

Mr Jones - previously Chief Secretary to the Treasury - will now become Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in Downing Street. Mr Jones will "directly oversee work across Government to support the delivery of the Prime Minister's priorities", No10 said.

He will be replaced at the Treasury where he served as Chancellor Rachel Reeves's deputy by James Murray. The Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson becomes a Treasury minister.

Former Bank of England deputy governor Baroness Minouche Shafik has also been appointed by Mr Starmer to serve as his new chief economic adviser ahead of the crucial autumn Budget.

Mr Lyons, who began working in Downing Street last autumn, reportedly said on Monday: "It was an honour to be asked to come in.

"I'm proud to have helped to get a grip on Whitehall comms after what was a difficult few first months for the Government It wasn’t just filling the grid. Launching the Plan for Change brought focus and direction

"But I gave up a lot to come in and this was never intended as a long haul. When I came back from the summer break I told colleagues I was looking to leave by the end of the year. I've brought this forward to be part of the other changes."

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