The UK government is undergoing a government communications overhaul with the appointment of former Sun editor David Dinsmore to a key Whitehall role. Dinsmore will serve as the new permanent secretary for communications, a civil service position aimed at strengthening official messaging.
David Dinsmore, who edited The Sun from 2013 to 2015, will lead efforts to modernize government communications. Unlike political advisers, his role focuses on long-term strategy rather than partisan messaging. Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly interviewed final candidates and favored Dinsmore’s media expertise.
Dinsmore began his career as a Scottish Sun reporter in 1990. He later became editor in 2006 and helped launch the Sun on Sunday. Currently, he serves as chief operating officer at News UK, publisher of The Sun, The Times, and Sunday Times.
During Dinsmore’s editorship, The Sun faced backlash for its Page 3 feature, which displayed topless women daily. In 2014, feminist coalition End Violence Against Women named him “sexist of the year.” The newspaper finally discontinued the feature in 2015.
His appointment follows a trend of tabloid editors moving into government PR. Andy Coulson, ex-News of the World editor, worked for David Cameron before resigning over the phone-hacking scandal. Critics question whether Dinsmore’s tabloid background aligns with Labour’s values.
The government communications overhaul comes after Starmer expressed concerns about inefficiencies in official messaging. The new permanent secretary role aims to streamline public information delivery. Dinsmore’s experience in fast-paced news environments could prove valuable.
However, some argue that corporate media executives may prioritize spin over transparency. With trust in government messaging at stake, Dinsmore’s success will depend on balancing accessibility with accountability.
As the government communications overhaul progresses, Dinsmore will likely focus on digital engagement and crisis response. His challenge will be restoring public confidence while adapting to modern media landscapes.
Will his tabloid roots help or hinder this mission? Only time will tell. For now, Downing Street bets on his industry knowledge to reshape how Britain’s government communicates.
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