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Keir Starmer’s national security adviser controversy explained

Posted on 2 September 2024

New blog post by Dr Chris Featherstone

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In a recent blog post published last week on The Conversation, Dr. Chris Featherstone dives into the ongoing controversy surrounding Keir Starmer's choice for his national security adviser. 

Chris says:

"Prime minister Keir Starmer has courted controversy by deciding not to go ahead with the appointment of Gwyn Jenkins as the UK government’s national security adviser, the most senior position in national security.

Asked during a speech in Downing Street to comment on the move, Starmer refused, saying only that he was moving ahead with the appointment process.

Jenkins, formerly the vice-chief of the UK armed forces, was originally appointed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak in April 2024.

Starmer’s decision to replace him with someone else has been criticised because he appears to be looking to appoint someone more politically loyal."

Read the full post on The Conversation