Darren Jones

Darren Jones is the UK's No 10 chief secretary. He is newsworthy due to his involvement in the ongoing controversy surrounding Keir Starmer's appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington. Specifically, Jones has defended Starmer against accusations of misleading the public regarding the vetting process, calling the Foreign Office's ignoring of security advice "utterly unacceptable" and ordering an urgent review. He has also been mentioned in connection to a shift in responsibilities within No 10, with Antonia Romeo gaining a more powerful mandate while Jones takes on a less hands-on role. Separately, Jones is the minister in charge of the UK's £1.8bn digital ID scheme, which is expected to have limited functionality before the next general election. His role in defending Starmer and overseeing the digital ID scheme makes him a relevant figure in current UK politics.