The team to end Keir's chaos? PM makes five new appointments to No10

Sir Keir Starmer today made five new appointments to his Downing Street team as he looks to move on from a rocky first three months in power.

The Prime Minister undertook a radical shake-up of his No10 operation in a bid to beef up his senior staff and 'reset' his premiership after his 'freebies' row.

The most dramatic move was the replacement of the increasingly embattled Sue Gray as his chief of staff with his top adviser Morgan McSweeney.

Sir Keir also named two new deputy chiefs of staff, a new principal private secretary, and a head of a new 'strategic communications team'. 

Ms Gray, who will now become the PM's envoy for nations and regions, dramatically quit as Sir Keir's chief aide amid reports of a bitter power struggle in No10.

This included claims of clashes between Ms Gray and allies of Mr McSweeney, as well as tensions with Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.

Sir Keir made the changes to his Downing Street team as he prepares to mark 100 days in office.

Since entering No10, he has been engulfed in a furious row over his acceptance of lavish gifts and hospitality - including from millionaire peer Lord Alli.

Morgan McSweeney

Mr McSweeney has replaced Ms Gray as Sir Keir's chief of staff in Downing Street, having been the PM's chief adviser.

He was previously director of Labour's general election campaign and oversaw the party's return to power after 14 years.

A former director of the Starmer-supporting Labour Together think tank, Mr McSweeney made his name as a formidable party organiser in London.

This included successful campaigns to win a majority on Lambeth Council and to defeat the British National Party in Barking and Dagenham.

The Irishman's allies in No10 have been dubbed 'McSweeney's Boys' amid reports of frequent battles between those close to him and supporters of Ms Gray.

Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson

Sir Keir has promoted two senior female Downing Street aides to be his deputy chiefs of staff.

Vidhya Alakeson is currently political director in No10 and was previously director of external relations for Labour and Sir Keir when they were in opposition.

Prior to joining the Labour Party, she was the chief executive of the Power to Change charitable trust.

She has also worked in the Prime Minister's strategy unit, in HM Treasury, for the US government and in a number of leading think tanks.

Jill Cuthbertson has been director of government relations in Downing Street since Labour's general election victory.

She previously spent three years working with Sir Keir as director of the Leader of the Opposition's office overseeing his events and visits.

She previously worked for both Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband. 

Nin Pandit

Sir Keir has appointed a new principal private secretary to run his private office.

Nin Pandit was previously director of the Downing Street policy unit and, prior to that, led the No10 delivery unit's health and social care team.

She started her career in the NHS in 2008 and led the development of the UK's first electronic health and care records.

Before joining government she also served as chief of staff and lead policy advisor to NHS England's chief executive.

James Lyons

The former journalist has been appointed by Sir Keir to head up a new strategic communications team.

He will join from TikTok and was previously the NHS director of communications. Prior to that he was deputy political editor of the Sunday Times and the Daily Mirror.

The PM said: 'I'm really pleased to be able to bring in such talented and experienced individuals into my team.

'This shows my absolute determination to deliver the change the country voted for.'