UK PM’s Chief of Staff Resigns Over Mandelson Scandal

The chief of staff to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on Sunday, taking responsibility for advising the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, a decision that has drawn renewed scrutiny following fresh revelations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Admission of Responsibility

Morgan McSweeney confirmed his resignation in a statement published by the BBC, saying he had decided to step down “after careful reflection.” He acknowledged that recommending Mandelson for the ambassadorial role last year was a mistake, saying the decision had harmed public trust and the Labour Party.

McSweeney said he personally advised Starmer to make the appointment and accepted full responsibility for that advice, adding that the fallout had damaged confidence in politics.

Starmer and Labour React

Prime Minister Starmer praised McSweeney’s long service, calling it an “honour” to have worked with him over many years and thanking him for his contribution to the party and government.

Senior Labour figures offered mixed reactions. John McDonnell said the resignation was the “right measure” but stressed that advisers advise while ministers ultimately decide. Another Labour lawmaker, Richard Burgon, described the move as an “important first step” and urged the party to launch an independent inquiry into internal practices involving both McSweeney and Mandelson.

Mandelson Scandal Deepens

Pressure on Starmer intensified after he publicly apologised last week for trusting what he described as Mandelson’s “lies” and appointing him as ambassador despite being aware of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mandelson was dismissed from his ambassadorial role in September and has since stepped down from the House of Lords and the Labour Party. Newly released Epstein-related files suggest he shared confidential government information with Epstein while serving as business secretary in 2009, allegations that have fuelled further controversy.

Epstein Files and Ongoing Scrutiny

The latest revelations followed the release of millions of pages of documents, videos, and images by the US Justice Department under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law last November. While the release includes grand jury transcripts and investigative records, many documents remain heavily redacted.

Epstein’s survivors and relatives of victims have criticised the disclosures as incomplete, arguing that crucial information remains withheld. Epstein was found dead in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls.