Keir Starmer appoints former Blair and Brown aide as his political director

Claire Reynolds, the director of Labour Women’s Network, will take on task of liaison between No 10, party and MPs

Keir Starmer has appointed a former aide to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as his new political director in Downing Street.

The prime minister has given the senior role to Claire Reynolds, the director of Labour Women’s Network, who was credited with helping 100 new female MPs win their seats at this year’s election.