Sir Keir Starmer's latest resignation from Government is a huge blow for Labour, GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope has said.
Speaking to host Martin Daubney, Christopher explained that Steph Driver, who has today stepped down, is "one of Keir Starmer's most important allies".
The Prime Minister's Director of Communications, Ms Driver, resigned just months after being promoted into the role in March.
Reflecting on her exit, Ms Driver told The Guardian: "It has been an honour to work with and advise Keir through opposition and into Government. Being part of the team to rebuild and rebrand the Labour Party before securing a historic general election victory is an achievement and experience like no other.
Keir Starmer is facing fresh crisis after 'important ally' resigns
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"I’m also proud of what this Government has already delivered, and thank the sharp and talented No 10 press team for their hard work and support during my tenure. I’m grateful to the Prime Minister for his continued faith in me and my work, and for his offer of an open door in the future. His Labour Government has my unwavering support."
Responding to Ms Driver's resignation, the Prime Minister said: "Steph Driver has been a loyal and valued member of my team for almost five years. Steph played a leading role in transforming the Labour Party and delivering our historic general election win. I will for ever be grateful for her calm, wise counsel, leadership and humour. I wish her all the best in her undoubted onward success.”
Delivering his verdict on the latest Labour exit, Christopher told GB News: "Steph Driver is one of the most important allies of Keir Starmer, going back years. I've known her since Keir Starmer was in opposition.
"She was his gatekeeper for the press, she understood what made him tick, she understood what got the best out of him and how to help him communicate through the media."
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Keir Starmer’s Director of Communications, Steph Driver, has resigned from her position
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Christopher added: "Of course, he [Sir Keir] was obviously formerly a Director of Public Prosecutions, very much an official not used to the rough and tumble of politics.
"This is a blow for Keir Starmer."
Reflecting on the statements issued by Ms Driver and the Prime Minister, Christopher highlighted that "this is why" her resignation "matters".
Christopher explained: "It comes after other advisers have left, Paul Ovenden, who was head of strategy, who was going to be playing a big role in writing the PM's speech at the party conference this weekend, and Matthew Doyle, who was the predecessor before Steph Driver.
Christopher Hope told GB News that the move is a 'blow' to the Prime Minister
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"Lots of change, and it's not great. These are people who know him very well. What you want is stability in the back team around the top man, the Prime Minister."
Ahead of Ms Driver's resignation, Keir Starmer was hit with two other key exits from his team.
In August, Former Principal Private Secretary Nin Pandit, who ran the Prime Minister's team in Downing Street announced her resignation.
And earlier this month, Paul Ovendon quit as the Prime Minister's director of political strategy, following the revelation of sexually explicit messages about veteran MP and former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott.