Deputy Director of Communications, 10 Downing Street, Steph Driver (Stephanie)
https://skwawkbox.org/2021/06/19/new-starmer-replaces-departing-private-health-lobbyist-with-labour-leaks-staffer-who-praised-secret-plan-to-divert-2017-ge-funds/
SIR Keir Starmer suffered another blow yesterday as his head of communications Steph Driver quit No10.
She spent five years as his aide when Opposition leader and became director of communications in Downing Street.
Sir Keir Starmer suffered another blow as his head of communications quit No10[/caption]
Ms Driver said: “It has been an honour to work with and advise Keir.
“Being part of the team to rebuild and rebrand the Labour party before securing an historic election victory is an achievement and experience like no other.”
The PM said: “I will forever be grateful for her calm, wise counsel, leadership and humour.”
It comes days after Starmer’s top aide faced calls for a police probe over claims he hid almost £740,000 in Labour donations.
Leaked emails suggest Morgan McSweeney, now the PM’s chief of staff, sought to brush off the breaches as an “admin error” and to keep his name out of the spotlight.
The Tories have now written to the Electoral Commission, demanding a full investigation, and for the case to be passed to police to consider possible criminal offences.
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake fumed: “Serious questions now arise over whether unlawful funds were used to propel Starmer into the Labour leadership – and why those at the centre of this murky operation were later rewarded with senior, taxpayer-funded roles in Government.”
The row centres on Labour Together, a campaign group Mr McSweeney once ran, which was fined £14,250 in 2021 for failing to report almost £740,000 in donations.
The watchdog found more than 20 breaches of electoral law, with officials concluding failures occurred “without reasonable excuse.”
