[2][3] The role is currently held by Matthew Doyle, who served as Director of Communications under Keir Starmer whilst in opposition.

The first holder of the position was Alastair Campbell who had previously served as the Downing Street press secretary and as the prime minister's official spokesperson.

The position initially held the power to issue orders to civil servants, but this authority was removed after Campbell's departure in 2003.

[5] The post was temporarily vacant from April to July 2017 following the resignation of the former director of communications, Katie Perrior.

[6][7][8] In television series The Thick of It, the Downing Street director of communications was portrayed by actor Peter Capaldi playing the now infamous Malcolm Tucker.