Morgan McSweeney, Chief of staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned over the scandal around Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK Ambassador to the US, despite his links to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Morgan McSweeney said in a statement to reporters that the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. “He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” he said.
McSweeney said that he took “full responsibility” for advising Starmer to make the appointment last year, adding “in the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.”
“This has not been an easy decision. Much has been written and said about me over the years but my motivations have always been simple: I have worked every day to elect and support a government that puts the lives of ordinary people first and leads us to a better future for our great country.
“Only a Labour government will do that. I leave with pride in all we have achieved mixed with regret at the circumstances of my departure. But I have always believed there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for the bigger cause.
“As I leave I have two further reflections: 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.
“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.”
Morgan McSweeney
The Downing Street Chief of staff is the most senior political Adviser to the UK Prime Minister.
The most recent tranche of Epstein files released by the US Justice Department triggered a police investigation into Mandelson, who has been accused of passing on market-sensitive government information that was of clear financial interest to Epstein following the 2008 financial crisis.
Police raided two of Mandelson’s properties on Friday as part of their investigation into misconduct in public office.
Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party last Sunday and quit the House of Lords, the upper chamber of Britain’s parliament, on Wednesday.
In his statement, McSweeney asserted that he remains fully supportive of the Prime Minister, saying that Starmer is working every day to rebuild trust, restore standards and serve the country. “I will continue to back that mission in whatever way I can. It has been the honour of my life to serve,” he added.
There had been calls in recent days for McSweeney to be sacked over the Mandelson scandal. McSweeney is often referred to as Mandelson’s protege.
A number of Labour MPs have wanted McSweeney out for some time. Labour MPs who have called for his departure include Clive Efford, Patrick Hurley and Kim Johnson. Labour’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman has also said the PM should consider “a real reset” in Downing Street.
Starmer Thanks Outgoing Chief Of Staff
Starmer thanked the outgoing Chief of staff for his service and commitment to the Labour Party, saying that it’s been an honor working with him.“It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”
Keir Starmer
The Mandelson scandal has plunged Keir Starmer’s government into crisis and raised questions about the prime minister’s political judgment.
Starmer appointed Mandelson as Ambassador last year, despite his well-known friendship with Epstein, which continued after the financier was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.
