Nin Pandit: Keir Starmer replaces top civil servant in Downing Street team

Keir Starmer is reportedly replacing the top civil servant in his Downing Street office.

Nin Pandit, the PM's principal private secretary, runs the Mr Starmer's team at No 10. She has only been in the role for ten months.

She is thethird senior figure to reportedly stand downafter Mr Starmer's director of communications in No10, Matthew Doyle, left his role in March. He stood down despite being in the position for less than a year.

It marked a further shake-up in Downing Street after Sue Gray, the PM's chief of staff, dramatically quit in the Autumn after months of damaging media coverage.

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Ms Pandit worked previously as the Director of the Downing Street Policy Unit from November 2022, under the Tory government. Before joining No10, she was the chief of staff and lead policy advisor to the chief executive of NHS England.

No 10 told the BBC Ms Pandit remains in post and would not comment on when her departure is to happen.

In March, Mr Doyle, who previously worked for Tony Blair, said he had decided to leave after feeling he had stabilised No10’s communications strategy and narrative over the past few months, following the turbulence of the early days in government.

In a statement from No10 at the time, Mr Starmer said: "Matthew brought his considerable experience to my team in summer 2021 and has worked tirelessly by my side every day since, playing a leading role in Labour's historical election win.

"On a personal level, it has been a real privilege to work with him. On behalf of the entire team, I wish him all the very best in his next role."

Mr Doyle's departure opened the door for the rise of James Lyons, a former NHS and TikTok communications boss, and a previous political journalist for the Mirror. The director of communications role is split between Mr Lyons, who is in charge of communications strategy, and Mr Doyle's deputy Steph Driver, who runs communications delivery.

Separately, Ms Gray had been at the centre of controversy since Labour was elected to government. In September a row broke out after it emerged she was paid more than the PM, with figures in and around government giving highly negative briefings about her to the press. It was a major talking point at the party's annual conference - which Ms Gray notably chose not to attend at the last minute.

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