Downing Street Communications Chief Faces Conflict of Interest Claims
Sir Keir Starmer's top communications adviser is facing cross-party demands for an investigation after revelations about his financial stake in a lobbying firm and his ongoing contact with a senior consultant from the company. Tim Allan, the government's executive director of communications, retains a minority shareholding in Strand Partners while serving in one of Downing Street's most influential roles.
The Relationship Under Scrutiny
Sky News can reveal that Tim Allan maintains a 10% ownership stake in Strand Partners, a lobbying firm where Tom Baldwin works as a senior consultant. Multiple sources have confirmed that the two men have discussed government affairs and politics since Mr Allan joined Number 10 in September. Downing Street does not challenge this assertion but claims the conversations occur in Mr Baldwin's capacity as a journalist.
Mr Baldwin, who authored Sir Keir Starmer's biography and appears regularly as a political commentator, has spoken at private briefings for Strand's corporate clients about the inner workings of government. There is no suggestion that either Mr Baldwin or Strand Partners have acted improperly, but the relationship has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Growing Political Pressure for Action
The revelations have triggered significant political backlash, with opposition parties and a member of Labour's own ruling National Executive Committee calling for immediate action. Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, told Sky News: "I think it's extraordinary that someone still has shares who's at the heart of Downing Street... I think it's important to know what these supposed appropriate mitigations are, what exactly are those and do they pass the public sniff test?"
Liberal Democrat frontbencher Lisa Smart has written to the cabinet secretary, stating: "This appears to be a clear conflict of interest right at the heart of government. It cannot be the case that the executive director of communications for the government has shareholdings in a lobbying firm and is continuing to have conversations with senior consultants at that firm."
Code of Conduct Concerns
The situation potentially breaches the special adviser code of conduct, which explicitly states that special advisers must ensure no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their official duties and private interests. The code further prohibits misuse of official position or information to further private interests.
While Mr Allan has taken steps to distance himself from Strand Partners' operations - resigning as chairman in September, committing not to take dividends, and avoiding involvement in company management - critics argue these measures are insufficient. Other lobbyists have expressed envy at the level of access the relationship appears to provide.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake added to the pressure, stating: "There should be a full Cabinet Office investigation. I think the public need to see there are no conflicts of interest and no perceived conflicts of interests, and that's not where we are right now."
Government and Company Responses
A Labour spokesperson defended Mr Allan, stating: "The allegation that Tim Allan has done anything to benefit Strand whilst in Number 10 is categorically false. Tom Baldwin is an established journalist, author and commentator... Any interactions with him are in his capacity as a journalist and have not related to Strand, its business or its clients."
The Cabinet Office emphasised that Mr Allan fully complied with the rigorous process for capturing potential conflicts of interest before his appointment. A Strand Partners spokesman confirmed that Mr Baldwin does not engage in government relations for the company and that Mr Allan receives no financial benefit from Strand while in government.
The controversy continues to develop as questions remain about whether the existing mitigations adequately address the perception of conflict surrounding one of the government's most senior communications figures.
