Downing Street Director of Communications
The Downing Street Director of Communications is the post of Director of Communications for the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The position is held by an appointed special adviser.[1] The post was temporarily vacant from April to July 2017 following the resignation of the former Director of Communications, Katie Perrior.[2]
Downing Street Director of Communications | |
---|---|
Royal Arms as used by Her Majesty's Government | |
Prime Minister's Office | |
Appointer | Prime Minister |
Formation | 2000 |
First holder | Alastair Campbell |
Website | 10 Downing Street |
The current Director of Communications, Lee Cain, who was appointed by Boris Johnson on 24 July 2019, has resigned as of 13 November 2020 and is expected to leave in December 2020.[3][4]
History
The position of Downing Street Director of Communications was created in 2000. The first holder of the position was Alastair Campbell who had previously served as Downing Street Press Secretary and Prime Minister's Spokesman. The position had the power to issue orders to civil servants but was removed after Campbell's departure in 2003.[5]
List of Directors of Communications
# | Communications Director | Years | Prime Minister |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Alastair Campbell | 2000–2003 | Tony Blair |
2 | David Hill | 2003–2007 | |
3 | Michael Ellam | 2007–2009 | Gordon Brown |
4 | Simon Lewis | 2009–2010 | |
5 | Andy Coulson | 2010–2011 | David Cameron |
6 | Craig Oliver | 2011–2016 | |
7 | Katie Perrior | 2016–2017 | Theresa May |
8 | Robbie Gibb | 2017–2019 | |
9 | Lee Cain | 2019–2020 | Boris Johnson |
In culture
In television series The Thick of It, the Downing Street Director of Communications was portrayed by actor Peter Capaldi playing the now infamous Malcolm Tucker.[6] Former special advisors (spads) and civil servants were called upon to make the series as close-to-reality as possible. In 2009, Capaldi stated 'Malcolm Tucker is Alastair Campbell. But Mandelson is there, too.'[7]
See also
References
- "Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
- Mason, Rowena; Asthana, Anushka (2017-06-10). "Theresa May's 'rude, abusive and childish' advisers face calls to quit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
- Walker, Peter; Mason, Rowena (2017-07-06). "Theresa May hires BBC's Robbie Gibb as communications chief". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
- "Lee Cain: Top Boris Johnson aide quits amid infighting at No 10". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- Editor, George Jones, Political (2002-06-17). "Curb Campbell's powers over civil servants, says watchdog". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2019-02-26.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- Sweney, Mark (2012-07-12). "The Thick of It to return with Leveson-style inquiry". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
- Dee, Johnny (2009-10-16). "Peter Capaldi: Malcolm Tucker is Alastair Campbell. But Mandelson is in there, too". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-05-12.