Brown loses top aide to advertising agency

LONDON (Reuters) - One of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's top aides, Spencer Livermore, has quit his post to join advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi and Fallon.

Livermore has worked with Brown since 1998 and has told friends he has been considering a career in advertising for some time. His departure follows the arrival of former Brunswick chief executive Stephen Carter as Brown's new strategy chief.

"Spencer has made a huge contribution for the past 10 years. I am extremely grateful to him for the work he has done, playing a major part in devising and implementing many of the successful policies at the Treasury," Brown said in a statement.

"I regret his decision to leave Downing Street, but I know that he will continue to play a major role with his new company in helping Labour to a fourth term in government."

Brown has shaken up his team of advisers since slipping in the polls after some aides were accused of building up speculation of an early election in October. The prime minister was accused of dithering after no poll was called.

He brought in Carter at the start of the year from the financial public relations firm and, more recently, David Muir from advertising agency WPP to work on political strategy.

There have been reports of tensions between the new advisers and some of the Brown stalwarts brought from the Treasury.