Last month Mr S was first to report that Downing Street veteran James Slack was off to the Sun after four years in No. 10. Slack, who survived the transition from May to Johnson but had only served as Lee Cain’s replacement since January, was well-regarded from his time as the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson and viewed by the lobby as a ‘safe pair of hands.’
Attention now turns to who will replace Slack in the role. Key attributes needed for the role will be the strength to work gruelling 18-hour days, unflappability under relentless questioning about interiors and the experience to manage Westminster’s unruly press pack. Since the role was created in 2000 all but one of the ten Downing Street directors of comms have been former journalists including Alastair Campbell, Craig Oliver, Andy Coulson and Robbie Gibb. The only exception was Katie Perrior for a brief period under May.
Given Slack’s departure caught many in Downing Street by surprise, there wasn’t a long list of candidates already in mind. So,
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