A high Downing Road aide has resigned after sending sexually express messages about impartial MP Diane Abbott, Sky Information understands.
Paul Ovenden, who was the director of technique at Quantity 10, is known to have left the position on Monday after plenty of on the spot messages from 2017 turned public.
Sky Information understands he did so to keep away from changing into a “distraction” for Sir Keir Starmer, simply days after he was pressured to sack the UK’s ambassador to the US – Peter Mandelson – over his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The messages, exchanged between Mr Ovenden and a feminine colleague, contained the graphic retelling of a dialog he reportedly overheard about Ms Abbott whereas at a celebration.
The previous aide has alleged these weren’t his unique phrases, however stated he “deeply regrets” sharing them.
He stated: “I actually, deeply remorse my sharing this story, and the damage and embarrassment its publication will trigger.
“Accordingly, I’ve introduced ahead my resignation to right now as I don’t wish to be a distraction from the federal government’s work.”
It’s understood Mr Ovenden introduced to colleagues earlier than the summer time recess he was leaving his position, and had deliberate to go away “quietly and rapidly” someday this month.
Nevertheless, within the wake of the publication of those messages, Mr Ovenden “introduced ahead” his resignation to right now.
The messages, exchanged with a feminine colleague and seen by Sky Information, described a sport of “shag, marry, kill” the aide overheard whereas at a celebration in Might 2017.
‘Had I recognized then, what I do know now, I might have by no means appointed him’ Starmer stated.
This concerned express descriptions about suspended Labour MP Ms Abbott.
A Quantity 10 spokesperson stated: “These messages are appalling and unacceptable.
“As the primary black lady to be elected to parliament, Diane Abbott is a trailblazer who has confronted horrendous abuse all through her political profession.
“These sorts of feedback don’t have any place in our politics.”
Sky Information has contacted Ms Abbott for remark.
The newest Quantity 10 resignation comes as Sir Keir admitted he by no means would have appointed Lord Mandelson to the publish of UK ambassador to the US if he had recognized what he is aware of now concerning the extent of his affiliation with Epstein.
Talking publicly for the primary time since he sacked Mandelson final Thursday, the prime minister defined {that a} “due diligence course of” was carried out earlier than he was appointed to the publish in February.
“I knew of his affiliation with Epstein,” Sir Keir stated.
“However had I recognized then what I do know now, I might have by no means appointed him.”
Simply days earlier than Lord Mandelson was sacked, Angela Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister and housing secretary after admitting she didn’t pay sufficient tax on her second house.
She additionally stop as deputy chief of the Labour Occasion, an elected publish.
Sir Keir’s second-in-command admitted to Sky Information political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that she should have paid the higher rate of stamp duty on a house she purchased in Hove, East Sussex, because it was her second property.
