Starmer appoints senior Blair-era aide Powell as National Security Adviser

The Prime Minister said Jonathan Powell was ‘uniquely qualified’ to advise the Government on global challenges (Frank Augstein/PA) - (PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Jonathan Powell, a former chief of staff to Sir Tony Blair and background architect of the Good Friday Agreement, as National Security Adviser.

The veteran diplomat recently played a major role in talks over the Chagos Islands sovereignty dispute, which earlier this year saw Britain hand the territory over to Mauritius.