Keir Starmer faces a setback as one of his key aides steps down following the leak of explicit messages where he made inappropriate jokes about veteran MP Diane Abbott. Paul Ovenden, Starmer’s strategy director, resigned after it was revealed that he had shared derogatory remarks with a female colleague while working in the Labour press team in 2017.
The departure of such a close adviser is a significant blow to Starmer, who is striving to regain momentum after the dismissal of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Leaked messages obtained by ITV News show Ovenden discussing a game of “shag, marry, kill” at a party, joking about inappropriate topics related to Abbott. The content of the messages prompted a strong reaction, with a No 10 spokesperson condemning them as unacceptable and inappropriate for the political arena.
Ovenden’s exit has left his colleagues shocked, given his instrumental role in Labour’s recent electoral success. His departure is viewed as a loss across various government departments and the Labour Party headquarters.
In a statement, Ovenden clarified the context of the messages, emphasizing that they were from his time as a junior press officer and predated his current role. He expressed his decision to resign early to avoid any distractions from the government’s crucial work.
Diane Abbott, the longest-serving female MP in Parliament, has faced significant levels of racism and sexism throughout her career. The incident involving Ovenden’s messages has drawn widespread criticism for its disrespectful nature towards Abbott.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been under scrutiny for his handling of Lord Mandelson’s appointment, particularly in light of Mandelson’s connection to Epstein. Johnson expressed regret over the situation and faced calls for greater transparency regarding the appointment process.
Amidst the political turbulence, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband urged the government to remain focused on their duties despite recent challenges. The Conservative Party has also secured an emergency debate in Parliament to address the ongoing scandal surrounding Lord Mandelson’s appointment, pressuring Johnson for more information.