UK PM Starmer’s Communications Director Quits Over Mandelson–Epstein Scandal

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses the Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein scandal on a visit to Hastings in England on Feb. 5, 2026. Peter Nicholls/PA

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s communications director, Tim Allan, resigned on Feb. 9, a day after Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney stepped down over his role in appointing Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington despite Mandelson’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“I have decided to stand down to allow a new No10 team to be built,” Allan said in a statement. “I wish the PM and his team every success.”