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Allegra Stratton: Former journalist named Downing Street's new press secretary

The ex-BBC, ITN and Guardian reporter聽will front daily government news conferences and likely become a household name.

Aubrey Allegretti

Political reporter

Thursday 8 October 2020 18:05, UK

Allegra Stratton is a former ITV news editor and current Head of Communications for Chancellor Rishi Sunak
Image: Allegra Stratton has been working in Number 11 for several months
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Former journalist Allegra Stratton has become Downing Street's new press secretary, Sky News understands.

The ex-BBC, ITN and Guardian reporter will front daily news conferences held by the government, and will likely become a household name.

She became director of strategic communications to Rishi Sunak earlier this year following his promotion to chancellor.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts on a face covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as he leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on October 6, 2020, before giving a speech to the Conservative Party's annual conference. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will seek to banish the coronavirus gloom with a vision of a prosperous future fuelled by floating windmills when he addresses his Conservative party's annual conference Tuesday. In a speech closing the four-day digital event, he will highlight an election pledge to quadruple the power generated by offshore wind from 10 to 40 gigawatts this decade, saying it would support 60,000 new jobs. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: PM Boris Johnson launched a search for someone to front daily TV briefings

Ms Stratton is credited with sharpening up the chancellor's social media presence and launching the Eat Out To Help Out discount scheme.

A former Guardian political correspondent and Newsnight political editor, she spent five years at ITV News as national editor and co-presented Peston On Sunday.

In her new job, Ms Stratton will front daily TV briefings - inspired by the government's COVID-19 news conferences, which boasted between two million and five million viewers a night.

The White House-style broadcasts will take place at 9 Downing Street, where a former colonial courtroom is being transformed into a state-of-the-art broadcast hub.

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Other contenders who were said to be in the running for the job on Boris Johnson's media team were Angus Walker, a former ITV News correspondent and editor who became Education Secretary Gavin Williamson's special adviser, and BBC political reporter Ellie Price.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: (L-R) Britain's Chancellor Rishi Sunak, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief scientific officer Patrick Vallance give a press conference about the ongoing situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak inside 10 Downing Street on March 17, 2020 in London, England. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (Photo by Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Image: Downing Street wants to emulate the daily coronavirus news conferences

Currently, political journalists are given a briefing by the prime minister's official spokesman - who is a civil servant - behind closed doors.

But the job advert for a new political figure to lead TV briefings said: "You will represent the government and the prime minister to an audience of millions on a daily basis, across the main broadcast channels and social media, and have the chance to influence and shape public opinion.

"You will speak directly to the public on the issues they care most about, explaining the government's position, reassuring people that we are taking action on their priorities and driving positive changes."