UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has resigned after coming under mounting pressure for his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, following fresh revelations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein files.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned on Sunday following intense pressure over his role in appointing Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, after fresh revelations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein files.
In a statement, McSweeney admitted that backing Mandelson for the post was a mistake. “The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” he said.
McSweeney acknowledged that he had personally advised Starmer to make the appointment and said he took “full responsibility” for that advice.
Epstein files trigger political storm
The resignation follows days of political turmoil sparked by documents released by the US Department of Justice. The disclosures showed that Mandelson remained in contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for longer than he had previously admitted.
UK police are also examining emails that appear to show Mandelson sharing details of internal financial discussions with Epstein after the 2008 banking crisis.
Pressure mounts within Labour
A long term close ally of Mandelson, McSweeney had been under growing pressure from within the Labour Party to step aside. Party figures said the revelations raised serious concerns about judgement at the highest levels of government.
“In public life, responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient,” McSweeney said, calling his resignation “the only honourable course”.
Blow to Starmer’s inner circle
McSweeney’s departure deprives Starmer of one of his most trusted aides at a time of rising unrest within the party, with some MPs privately questioning the prime minister’s leadership.
McSweeney had played a key behind-the-scenes role in reshaping Labour under Starmer, helping marginalise the party’s left wing and steering it to power.
Mandelson’s fall from office
Mandelson was appointed ambassador in December 2024 but was dismissed in September last year after earlier details of his links to Epstein surfaced.
Following the release of further emails this month, Mandelson resigned his Labour Party membership and stepped down from the House of Lords.
Both Starmer and McSweeney had faced sustained criticism for backing Mandelson’s appointment, with several Labour MPs and former ministers urging them to reconsider their positions.
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