Jonathan Powell rejects overtures to replace McSweeney as Starmer’s chief of staff
The Guardian World
by Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editorFebruary 15, 2026
Exclusive: Powell, who held post under Blair, is said to be considering leaving current role as national security adviser
Keir Starmer’s national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, has rejected overtures to become the prime minister’s chief of staff after the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, the Guardian has been told.
Powell’s allies say his decision not to take forward discussions about the job – the same role he undertook under Tony Blair’s premiership from 1997 to 2007 – was largely motivated by an intention to return to the mediation consultancy that he set up in 2011, with little interest in returning to a job he has already done.
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/15/2026