Starmer Taps Former Sun Editor David Dinsmore for Top Government Communications Role
In a surprise move that blends media muscle with government messaging, David Dinsmore, former editor of The Sun, has been appointed to a newly created top communications post within Whitehall. The decision signals a major overhaul in how Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to shape public narratives — and control them.
Dinsmore, who ran the UK’s most-read tabloid from 2013 to 2015, will serve as the permanent secretary for communications — a civil service position rather than a political advisory role. The new role sits apart from the No. 10 director of communications and will focus on strategic, long-term public engagement and revamping how government departments communicate with citizens and media.
The Role: Permanent Secretary for Communications
Not Just Another Spin Doctor
This isn’t just another hire for a press team. The creation of the permanent secretary for communications signals a structural shift in the UK government’s communication strategy. The post is expected to oversee a sweeping reform of departmental messaging across Whitehall.
Unlike political appointees, Dinsmore will operate within the civil service hierarchy, granting his position a level of continuity and neutrality beyond the political churn of Westminster.
Direct Prime Ministerial Involvement
Starmer reportedly personally interviewed the final shortlist of candidates and was said to be “impressed by Dinsmore’s grasp of modern communication challenges”, according to The Telegraph. That includes digital disinformation, audience fragmentation, and the 24-hour news cycle.
Who is David Dinsmore?
Tabloid Veteran, Digital Strategist
Dinsmore began his career as a reporter at the Scottish Sun in 1990 and climbed the ranks to become editor of the UK edition in 2013. He held that post until 2015 and has since served as Chief Operating Officer of News UK, the parent company of The Sun, The Times, and The Sunday Times.
He was instrumental in launching The Sun on Sunday and is considered a media operator with deep understanding of both legacy press and digital platforms.
Yet, his tenure hasn’t been without controversy. In 2014, he was voted “Sexist of the Year” by a coalition of feminist groups while overseeing The Sun‘s infamous Page 3 topless photo feature — a fixture the paper dropped in 2015 after public backlash.
From Newsroom to Government: Not the First Crossover
Echoes of Andy Coulson and Alastair Campbell
Dinsmore joins a long line of tabloid editors-turned-spin-chiefs. Notably:
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Andy Coulson, former News of the World editor, served as David Cameron’s communications director, before resigning in 2011 over the phone-hacking scandal.
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Alastair Campbell, one-time political editor of the Daily Mirror, became Tony Blair’s most senior communications strategist, shaping New Labour’s image.
However, unlike his predecessors, Dinsmore’s role is non-partisan and embedded in the civil service. This gives him a longer institutional runway and potentially more influence than politically appointed counterparts.
Why Now? Starmer’s Focus on Message Discipline
Post-Election Realignment Begins with Communications
The timing of Dinsmore’s appointment comes amid broader efforts by Keir Starmer’s government to reset and professionalise its communications operation, especially after the resignation of Matthew Doyle, Starmer’s director of communications, in March after just nine months in the job.
Insiders suggest the government is keen to avoid the fragmented, reactive comms style that often plagued the latter years of the Johnson and Sunak governments.
Starmer has repeatedly expressed frustration with how Whitehall’s messaging lags behind events or fails to cut through noise — especially on complex issues like economic policy, immigration, and public health.
Strategic Implications: What Dinsmore Brings to the Table
Institutional Control, Digital Strategy, and Narrative Engineering
As a career media executive, Dinsmore offers:
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Crisis communication skills honed in the tabloid world
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Digital-savvy public engagement tactics suited for fragmented audiences
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A ruthless understanding of media framing and tabloid instincts
His arrival is expected to tighten narrative discipline across departments and streamline messaging, from ministerial interviews to social media campaigns. He will likely spearhead cross-government communications training and coordinated media strategy, especially in the lead-up to policy launches and public consultations.
Criticism and Questions
Tabloid Legacy and Public Perception
Despite the strategic rationale, Dinsmore’s appointment hasn’t been universally applauded. Critics point to his editorial legacy, particularly The Sun’s tabloid sensationalism and sexist history.
While Dinsmore was not directly implicated in scandals like phone-hacking, his proximity to Murdoch-era newsroom culture could raise concerns over transparency and public trust.
Questions also linger about how his values and tone will mesh with the civil service’s traditionally non-partisan ethos — especially in a role with such wide institutional reach.
A High-Stakes Bet on a Media Insider
David Dinsmore’s transition from Britain’s most controversial tabloid to the communications nerve center of Whitehall is one of the most fascinating media-to-government moves in recent memory.
By creating this new position and appointing a hard-nosed media veteran to fill it, Starmer is sending a clear message: Controlling the story matters — and government messaging needs to catch up to 21st-century realities.
If Dinsmore succeeds, he could redefine how the British state communicates with its citizens. If he fails, he may become the next in a long line of spin doctors whose influence outlived their welcome.