Morgan McSweeney Steps Down as Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff Amid Mandelson Controversy
Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister's longtime aide and chief of staff, has resigned from his position following intense criticism over his role in the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson. The resignation comes as McSweeney appeared to accept blame for what he described as a "wrong" decision that has sparked a major scandal within the Labour Party.
Intensifying Pressure Over Mandelson Appointment
McSweeney faced mounting calls from within Labour ranks to step down after being widely blamed for pushing the appointment of his ally Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The controversy centers on Mandelson's continued dealings with financier Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's conviction for child sex offences, a fact that McSweeney reportedly knew about.
The peer was dismissed from his position last year due to his relationship with Epstein, but recent document releases have revealed that Mandelson leaked information to his friend while serving as a government minister. This revelation has significantly increased anger in Westminster and placed additional pressure on those involved in his appointment.
Full Responsibility Accepted in Resignation Statement
In a detailed resignation statement, McSweeney acknowledged his role in the controversial appointment and accepted complete responsibility for his advice to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the Government," McSweeney stated. "The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself."
McSweeney emphasized that "when asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice." He added that "in public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside."
Reflections on Service and Future Safeguards
The departing chief of staff reflected on his motivations throughout his career, stating he had "worked every day to elect and support a government that puts the lives of ordinary people first." Despite the circumstances of his departure, McSweeney expressed pride in his achievements while acknowledging regret over how his tenure ended.
In his concluding remarks, McSweeney made two significant points:
- "Firstly, and most importantly, we must remember the women and girls whose lives were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for far too long."
- "Secondly, while I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled. This cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard for the future."
McSweeney concluded by reaffirming his support for Prime Minister Starmer, describing his service as "the honour of my life" and pledging to continue supporting the government's mission to rebuild trust and restore standards.
