Labour Party leader Keir Starmer faced a setback as one of his key aides resigned following the leak of sexually explicit messages mocking veteran MP Diane Abbott. Paul Ovenden, Starmer’s strategy director, stepped down after sharing derogatory remarks with a female colleague during his time in Labour’s press team in 2017.
The departure of Ovenden, a close adviser to Starmer, is a significant blow as the Prime Minister is striving to regain momentum after dismissing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein. The leaked messages, revealed by ITV News, detailed Ovenden’s participation in a controversial party game involving inappropriate comments about Abbott.
The Prime Minister’s office condemned the messages as “appalling and unacceptable,” emphasizing the importance of respecting Abbott’s pioneering role as the first black woman elected to Parliament. Ovenden’s exit has reverberated among his colleagues, given his instrumental role in Labour’s recent election success and his subsequent stint in the Prime Minister’s team.
In his resignation statement, Ovenden clarified the context of the messages, expressing regret and emphasizing his commitment to upholding the reputation of the government. Meanwhile, Abbott, known for enduring racism and sexism in her career, has been a target of abuse, as highlighted in a study showing the disproportionate attacks she faced on social media during the 2017 election.
The controversy comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of the Prime Minister’s judgement, particularly regarding the Mandelson appointment and his ties to Epstein. Despite initially supporting Mandelson publicly, the PM ultimately terminated his role following the emergence of incriminating emails between Mandelson and Epstein. The PM defended his handling of the situation, stating that he was unaware of the extent of their relationship prior to the decision.
As questions linger over the PM’s leadership, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband urged the government to stay focused amid the recent turbulence. The Conservatives have called for an emergency debate in Parliament to pressure the PM into disclosing documents related to the Mandelson appointment, further intensifying the political fallout from the scandal.
