Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson (UK) explained

Post:Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson
Insignia:Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government) (2022).svg
Insigniacaption:Royal Arms as used by His Majesty's Government
Department:Prime Minister's Office
Appointer:Prime minister
Acting:no

The prime minister's official spokesperson or alternatively prime minister's official spokesman/spokeswoman is a position in the United Kingdom's Civil Service, located in the Prime Minister's Office in 10 Downing Street and used by the British prime minister to convey information to the public. The prime minister's official spokesperson usually addresses a small group of press and media correspondents, known as lobby correspondents, each morning to deliver statements on current events on behalf of the prime minister.

List of prime minister's spokespeople

SpokespersonYearsPrime Minister
Alastair Campbell[1] 1997–2001Tony Blair
Godric Smith[2] 2001–2004
Tom Kelly[3] 2004–2007
Michael Ellam[4] [5] 2007–2009Gordon Brown
Simon Lewis[6] 2009–2010
Steve Field[7] [8] 2010–2012David Cameron
Jean-Christophe Gray[9] 2012–2015
Helen Bower[10] 2015–2016
2016–2017Theresa May
James Slack[11] 2017–2019
2019–2021Boris Johnson
Jamie Davies (Acting)2021
Max Blain[12] 2021–2022
2022Liz Truss
2022–2023Rishi Sunak
David Pares[13] 2023–2024Rishi Sunak

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Alastair Campbell quits. 7 August 2017. BBC News. 29 August 2003.
  2. News: Hellen. Nicholas. BBC open to cronyism charge after hiring Blair spin doctor. 7 August 2017. The Times. 1 September 2013.
  3. Web site: Tilley. Jonathan. Newsmaker: Former Blair spokesman Tom Kelly tasked with keeping HS2 on track. PR Week. 7 August 2017. 7 March 2014.
  4. News: Ellam to be Downing St spokesman. 7 August 2017. BBC News. 31 May 2007.
  5. News: Jones. George. Brown brings civil servants back to the heart. 7 August 2017. The Daily Telegraph. 7 June 2007. en.
  6. News: Rogers. Danny. PR pro joins Brown's team. 7 August 2017. The Guardian. 21 June 2009.
  7. News: Curtis. Polly. David Cameron appoints civil servant Steve Field as No 10 spokesman. 7 August 2017. The Guardian. 11 May 2010.
  8. Web site: New Prime Minister's Official Spokesman announced. gov.uk. 7 August 2017. en. 31 October 2012.
  9. News: Owens. John. Prime Minister picks Jean-Christophe Gray and Susie Squire for top comms roles. 7 August 2017. PR Week. 21 October 2012.
  10. Web site: New Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson announced. gov.uk. 29 May 2015.
  11. Web site: Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson appointed: James Slack . 21 July 2017 . Gov.uk.
  12. Web site: Max Blain will be the new Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson. 9 February 2021. GOV.UK. en.
  13. News: Holt. Siobhan. Portland hires Downing Street adviser. 4 June 2024. PR Week. 19 December 2023.