Boris Johnson's spin doctor has resigned, the second major departure from Downing Street in one day.
Jack Doyle has left as No 10’s director of communications, Downing Street confirmed tonight.
A No 10 spokesman said: “Jack Doyle has left government. He has made a huge contribution and the Prime Minister is immensely grateful for the work he has done.”
Mr Doyle told staff of his decision on Thursday evening, according to the Daily Mail.
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He reportedly told staff: “It was always my intention to do two years.
“Recent weeks have taken a terrible toll on my family life.
“Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. I wish you all the best for the future.”
Mr Doyle, a former Daily Mail journalist, was appointed as Director of Communications in April 2021.
His exit follows the resignation earlier today of Munira Mirza, Downing Street’s head of policy.
She reportedly quit after the Prime Minister refused to apologise for remarks to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in Parliament.
Downing Street chief of staff Dan Rosenfield and the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary Martin Reynolds have also resigned tonight, according to reports, although this has not been confirmed.
Mr Johnson appeared to blame Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, for the failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile, a claim that has been widely denounced as incorrect.
According to Ms Mirza’s resignation letter reported by the Spectator magazine, he stopped short of issuing the apology that she had requested.
“I believe it was wrong for you to imply this week that Keir Starmer was personally responsible for allowing Jimmy Savile to escape justice,” the letter read.
“There was no fair or reasonable basis for that assertion. This was not the usual cut and thrust of politics; it was an inappropriate and partisan reference to a horrendous case of child sex abuse. You tried to clarify your position today but, despite my urging, you did not apologise for the misleading impression you gave.
“You are a better man than many of your detractors will ever understand which is why it is so desperately sad that you let yourself down by making a scurrilous accusation against the Leader of the Opposition.”
During an interview on Thursday, Mr Johnson backtracked on the widely criticised and debunked claim that the Labour leader failed to prosecute Savile but did not apologise.
