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Top Strategist Resigns Over Leaked Explicit Emails

9/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Paul Ovenden, Director of Strategy for No 10, resigned after sexually explicit emails about Diane Abbott were leaked.
The emails, from 2017, discussed a game involving Abbott.
Ovenden resigned to prevent distraction from government work.
His resignation follows those of Angela Rayner and Lord Mandelson.
A No 10 spokesperson condemned his comments as "appalling and unacceptable."

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Story summary

Paul Ovenden, Director of Strategy for No 10, resigned after sexually explicit emails about Diane Abbott were leaked.
The emails, from 2017, discussed a game involving Abbott.
Ovenden resigned to prevent distraction from government work.
His resignation follows those of Angela Rayner and Lord Mandelson.
A No 10 spokesperson condemned his comments as "appalling and unacceptable."