Keir Starmer Dealt Fresh Hammer Blow After Top Aide Quits Over Diane Abbott Messages

Keir Starmer Keir Starmer has been dealt a fresh blow after one of his top aides quit over sexually explicit messages he sent about Diane Abbott.Paul Ovenden resigned as the No.10 director of strategy after the remarks were unearthed by ITV.It is understood they relate to a conversation he had with colleagues while working for Labour as a junior press officer in 2017.Ovenden is a close ally of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s under-fire chief of staff, and was a key figure inside Downing Street.It is understood that he was playing a major role in preparations for the Labour Party conference later this month, including helping to write Keir Starmer’s keynote speech.His departure comes hard on the heels of Angela Rayner’s resignation as deputy prime minister and Peter Mandelson’s sacking as the UK’s ambassador to Washington and adds to the sense of crisis engulfing No.10.In the messages, Ovenden tells a female colleague about a game of “shoot, shag kill” he had played with two other female Labour staffers the previous night.He recalled how one of the colleagues discussed with the other “who would use the strap on out of her and Diane Abbott”.In another message, he says: “We spent a lot of time discussing *name redacted* going down on Diane. Honestly it was outrageous.”In a statement, Ovenden said: “I am accused of eight years ago as a junior press officer sharing with a female colleague the details of a silly conversation that I was party to with other female staff members.“Before summer, I had announced to some of my colleagues my intention to leave government. Though the messages long pre-date my current employment and relationship with the prime minister, I’ve brought forward my resignation to avoid distracting from the vital work this government is doing to positively change people’s lives.“As an advisor, my duty is to protect the reputation of the prime minister and his government.“While it is chilling that a private conversation from nearly a decade ago can do this sort of damage, I am also truly, deeply sorry for it and the hurt it will cause.”A government source told HuffPost UK: “Paul has constantly spotted and protected the brightest aides in the party and the best officials in government, helping them develop every step of the way and letting them thrive. “His influence will be missed across Whitehall and in party HQ.“One of the few people to continually cut through the noise and recognise our once in a generation opportunity to save this country in the interests of ordinary people.”A spokesperson from No.10 said: “These messages are appalling and unacceptable. As the first black woman to be elected to parliament, Diane Abbott is a trailblazer who has faced horrendous abuse throughout her political career. These kinds of comments have no place in our politics.”Related...A Labour MP Has Just Given Keir Starmer 8 Months To Save His JobHow Civil War Gripped The Labour Party And Left MPs Asking: 'How Long Can Starmer Survive?'Peter Mandelson Has Gone – But Questions About Keir Starmer's Own Future Remain

Comments

Breaking news

Southport victim’s mum says they’re living a nightmare every day

Metro

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear in star-studded trailer for Disneyland 70th anniversary special as Duke reveals his favourite theme park ride

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Ricky Gervais takes a swipe at Emmys stars' political grandstanding with throwback to his Golden Globes speech telling celebs: 'You're in no position to lecture the public about anything'

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Yungblud raises eyebrows with a series of suggestive snaps after sparking concern with his bizarre appearance at the MTV VMAs

about 2 hours ago

How you can learn to cook with Jamie Oliver for just over £200

Dailymail

Princess Beatrice just proved a little black dress will never go out of style - shop her exact Ralph Lauren dress and high street versions

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Three-bedroom house on sale for £400,000 leaves home buyers 'flabbergasted' after they notice 'unhygienic' kitchen detail

about 2 hours ago

Comments

Similar News

The plot to dump Keir Starmer and replace him with an even more Left-wing Labour alternative - and why it proves we must call a snap-election when he is inevitably ousted: DAN HANNAN

Senior Keir Starmer aide resigns over 'explicit messages about Diane Abbott'

Keir Starmer's senior aide resigns over 'explicit messages about Diane Abbott'

A Labour MP Has Just Given Keir Starmer 8 Months To Save His Job

'Dangerous And Inflammatory': Keir Starmer Condemns Elon Musk's Claim 'Violence Is Coming' To UK

POLL OF THE DAY: Will Keir Starmer last as Prime Minister beyond next May?

Could Keir Starmer be ousted BEFORE the next general election? How a Labour challenger to the PM would need the backing of 80 MPs to force a leadership contest

A Labour MP Has Just Given Keir Starmer 8 Months To Save His Job

Keir Starmer unveils major US-UK nuclear deal - and makes energy bills promise

Keir Starmer Says 'We Will Never Surrender' Union Flag To Far-Right Thugs

Police hunt man at Tommy Robinson rally who called for Keir Starmer's assassination

Keir Starmer says Britain will 'never surrender' flag to those who sow hate

Keir Starmer vows to 'never surrender' the Union Jack to those sowing 'violence, fear and division' after more than 100,000 take part in violent Tommy Robinson demo

Why Keir Starmer cannot survive as prime minister without this man

We will never surrender our flag, Sir Keir Starmer says

Police hunt man in the middle of Tommy Robinson march calling for Keir Starmer to be assassinated - after footage was seen by millions

Donald Trump to swerve UK state visit protest with Keir Starmer Chequers reception

Elgar on a ghetto blaster. A sea of flags and tributes to Charlie Kirk. VERY rude chants about Keir. Then the bottles and fists began to fly... IAN GALLAGHER attends the 110,000-strong 'Unite the Kingdom' march in London

Tommy Robinson supporters call for Sir Keir Starmer to be killed during huge anti-migrant march just days after Charlie Kirk was assassinated

'He's not even in the top three most important people': Ministers tell me who REALLY runs the Government, why Keir Starmer is now alone and without allies... and the disturbing influence of Tony Blair: DAN HODGES

Breaking news

Southport victim’s mum says they’re living a nightmare every day

Brits Told To Rub Orange Peel On Windowsills This Month

Trump's Ukraine Envoy Declares Russia Is 'Losing' The War As He Rips Into Putin's Army

Bizarre crash-proof plane idea revealed that wraps aircraft in giant AIRBAGS

BREAKING NEWS: Incometax.gov.in Portal Prior to ITR Deadline, Taxpayers Uhpoh, what CBDT will give more extensions

Gold Silver Rate: Silver breaks all records also gold cooled, special opportunity for middle -class people

'Terrorism should be over, but a lot in Pakistan …', in the IND vs Pak match, Grandpa spoke of his mind.

Husband hijacked Nepal's first plane, Nepal's first woman Prime Minister is a family

Takeaways from our collaboration on youth mental health after the Maui wildfires

What to know about Malawi's elections as an economic crisis grips the country

Woops! Yellowstone geologists pull 300 hats from hot springs

Eastern Orthodox leader is on a US visit to meet with Trump and receive award for environmental work

Barron Trump ‘very hurt’ by Charlie Kirk’s killing, his father says

Synthetic kratom drug now blamed for at least three deaths in California

Obese children as young as six could benefit from weight-loss jabs

Drills in Belarus and drone incursions into Romania: How the war in Ukraine has already become a European conflict

West African nationals deported by US to Ghana have all been sent to their home countries

Trump state visit live: US president set to arrive in London before meeting King Charles

Gang attack on armored vehicle in Haiti leaves 2 police officers injured and 1 driver dead

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 21-27

Nigel Farage criticised after claiming ‘most stable relationships’ are between men and women

The extraordinary manhunt: How Constance Marten and Mark Gordon evaded police for 53 days

Mark Gordon: The rapist who went on the run with his aristocrat partner and their newborn baby

Divers in a race against time to recover World War II ammunition and bombs from Baltic Sea

DNA evidence found near scene of Charlie Kirk's shooting matches suspect, FBI director says

Renfrewshire Council celebrates new Renfrew Bridge marking one millionth crossing

Parents call for action over kids' 'terrifying' walk to school as they slam speeding drivers

Scots Just Stop Oil activist to stand trial after private jets vandalised at Stansted

Aristocrat Constance Marten and rapist Mark Gordon caged for 14 years over death of newborn baby

Top Starmer aide quits amid row over messages sent about Diane Abbott

Poundland gives major update on the closure of busy Scottish branch

Murder gang member was gun-runner who paid to smuggle terrifying weapons haul to Scotland

Dunelm brings back £25 radiator that 'warms rooms fast' and costs 14p an hour to run

Senior Keir Starmer aide resigns over 'explicit messages about Diane Abbott'

Latest phase of Paisley's West End regeneration masterplan well underway

Desperate search for man who entered Scots river goes on for third day

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon jailed for 14 years each after killing their newborn daughter

Constance Marten and rapist partner Mark Gordon jailed for killing baby

UK schools plunged into lockdown as 'man with axe' spotted

Forget trench coats, Vicky Pattison’s barn jacket is the ultimate autumn wardrobe staple

Meghan Markle gushes over Prince Harry with eye-popping emoji on his birthday

Mistake when doing common household chore causes major problem, say experts

World Afro Day takes over Parliament for in hopeful bid to end Afro hair discrimination

Top 10 signs you're young at heart, from laughing at everything to playing on swings

Prince Harry shows true feelings on William feud with 'high risk' move days after UK trip

'I'm a mortician and have noticed same regret people have on deathbed'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear in star-studded trailer for Disneyland 70th anniversary special as Duke reveals his favourite theme park ride

Ricky Gervais takes a swipe at Emmys stars' political grandstanding with throwback to his Golden Globes speech telling celebs: 'You're in no position to lecture the public about anything'

Yungblud raises eyebrows with a series of suggestive snaps after sparking concern with his bizarre appearance at the MTV VMAs

How you can learn to cook with Jamie Oliver for just over £200

Moment emotional Prince Harry holds back tears while visiting makeshift memorial in Kyiv

Two deaf friends are both killed by oncoming train during Portuguese vacation because they couldn't hear its horn

Meghan Markle makes gushing tribute to Prince Harry on his 41st birthday

Model Josie Canseco enrages her fans with Charlie Kirk post

Aristocrat Constance Marten and her partner Mark Gordon sentenced to 14 years for killing their baby

Columnist Karen Attiah is FIRED by Washington Post over 'white men' post after Charlie Kirk murder

Terraced Victorian house in Kent hits the market for just £75,000 - but there's a small catch