Micah Jonah, February 9, 2026
UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer’s communications chief, Tim Allan, has resigned, deepening the political pressure on the British leader as the government continues to face fallout linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Allan announced his decision to step down on Monday, just one day after Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, also quit, raising fresh questions about stability within the Prime Minister’s inner circle.
In a brief statement, Allan said he had chosen to leave his role to allow for the rebuilding of a new team at 10 Downing Street.
The latest resignation comes amid growing criticism of Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States, despite Mandelson’s long known links to Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
Addressing staff at Downing Street after the departures, Starmer urged unity and resilience, stressing the need to move forward.
He said politics must still be shown to be a force for good, adding that his administration would continue its work of reforming and changing the country with confidence.
Starmer’s spokesperson also dismissed speculation about the Prime Minister stepping aside, insisting he remains focused on delivering his government’s agenda across the country.
Mandelson has remained at the centre of the controversy since his name appeared in files related to the Epstein investigation released by US authorities. He was dismissed by Starmer in September over his friendship with Epstein and later resigned from both the Labour Party and the House of Lords.
UK authorities are also reviewing an exit payment made to Mandelson following his dismissal, further fuelling political tensions within the ruling Labour Party.
Starmer is expected to address members of the Parliamentary Labour Party later, as discontent grows over Mandelson’s appointment and the wider implications of the scandal for the government.
