Another senior aide to Sir Keir Starmer has quit after sending sexually explicit messages about former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott.
Director of Strategy Paul Ovenden has quit his Downing Street role after the messages from 2017 were uncovered.
Mr Ovenden is a former journalist and key ally of both the Prime Minister and under-pressure chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
He had exchanged emails with a former colleague in 2017 in which he retold a story about a game of "shag, marry, kill" involving the veteran Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP.
In an email exchange, he recalled the conversation in graphic detail about how they would sleep with Ms Abbott.
A No10 spokesman on Paul Ovenden's historic email messages about Diane Abbott: "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."
A Labour source said: "Paul Ovenden was the best brain in the Labour Party and the role he played in the landslide election was immeasurable."
Mr Ovenden's departure is yet another blow for Keir Starmer
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After starting his work for Labour in 2014, Mr Ovenden's exit marks another significant blow for Number 10 as it follows Angela Rayner's resignation and Peter Mandelson's sacking.
Today, Sir Keir spoke for the first time since Lord Mandelson departed as ambassador to the US, telling the press, "had I known then what I know now, I'd have never appointed" him.
Suspended MP Ms Abbott has been vocal in her criticism of her party's leader, warning the Prime Minister he has until local elections in May to turn around the public opinion on Labour.
Since his premiership began, Mr Starmer has lost the support of 2024 Labour voters, according to polls, with voters most notably flocking to Reform UK.
Director of Strategy Paul Ovenden has quit his Downing Street role after the messages from 2017 were uncovered
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Nigel Farage has emerged as the most likely external threat to the Prime Minister, as his party has now had a huge surge in momentum since the last General election.
Labour MPs are openly warning that Sir Keir only has months to turn things around, highlighting the May elections as a make-or-break moment in his premiership.
Labour rules for removing a leader against their will are set high, needing at least 80 MPs to nominate one potential replacement before a card vote is held at the annual conference on whether there should be a full membership election.
Despite no obvious candidate, allies of the Prime Minister believe Andy Burnham is preparing himself to challenge for the job, despite not currently being an MP.
Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Diane Abbott, is currently suspended from the Labour Party
| PAThe Manchester Mayor launched a new left-wing campaign group earlier this week, seen as the groundwork for a bid for the top role amid growing speculation.
Mr Burnham's new campaign, "Mainstream", was "setting out his stall" to become the party leader, Labour sources told the Telegraph.
Last month, another one of the Prime Minister's aides, Ninjeri Pandit, left her position.
Chief of staff Sue Gray and director of communications Matt Doyle have also departed from the top team.
Nigel Farage has emerged as the most likely external threat to the Prime Minister
| X / NIGEL FARAGEJournalist and speech writer, James Rampton, urged Sir Keir to "change the narrative" amid mounting pressure.
Speaking to GB News, he warned: "There are lots of rebel MPs saying they want to get Burnham into a safe seat at the next by-election, so he can challenge Starmer for the leadership.
"They're saying he's in the last chance saloon. The Mandelson scandal, they're saying, is a death knell. There are more questions about when Sir Keir knew the full details of the scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein."
The Prime Minister is set to welcome Donald Trump next week on the US President's unprecedented second state visit, where reports of a trade deal between the Atlantic partners have been revealed.