Mirror Political Editor Lizzy Buchan writes…
Andy Burnham is preparing to become PM and it’s a day of change in Downing Street. Keir Starmer’s director of comms, Sophie Nazemi, who served under Jeremy Corbyn and Mr Starmer, is leaving after a decade at the coal face of Labour politics.
Nazemi ran the media team in the general election and entered No10 as press secretary before becoming the director of communications earlier this year.
George Mason, one of Starmer closest aides who ran his appearances and visits as director of PM media, is also leaving.
A fellow aide said: “George’s worked tirelessly for Keir, the Labour Party and the country for years; his fingerprints are on all the successes of recent years. We all know he will – and should be – back soon.”
The PM’s political director Amy Richards, and his joint chiefs of staff Vidya Alakeson and Jill Cutherbertson are all stepping down today.
No10 press secretary John Stevens, a former Daily Mirror journalist, is staying on, along with Calum Masters, the head of broadcast, and Lidia Fanzo who runs the all important government grid of media announcements.
Mr Burnham’s media team is being led by Sarah Brown, who worked for London Mayor Sadiq Khan, along with Grace Pritchard, who ran his comms during the Makerfield by-election, who becomes director of news and his official spokeswoman.
Alison Phillips, a former Daily Mirror editor and boss of ThinkLabour, is becoming deputy chief of staff.