Keir Starmer’s Chief of Staff Resigns after Ambassadorial Row
CP
Morgan McSweeney has resigned as the chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer following a controversy over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
Mr McSweeney stepped down after criticism of his role in advocating for Lord Mandelson’s posting to Washington, despite warnings from civil servants about the peer’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement announcing the departure, which did not refer directly to the controversy, the Prime Minister praised Mr McSweeney’s “dedication, loyalty and leadership” during Labour’s 2024 general election campaign and said he owed him a “debt of gratitude”.
Downing Street officials were aware of Lord Mandelson’s continuing friendship with Epstein, even after Epstein had been convicted of child sex offences, before the ambassadorial appointment was confirmed.
Subsequent disclosures about the relationship between the two men have intensified pressure on the Prime Minister, creating what allies acknowledge to be the most serious political challenge of his premiership to date.
Calls for Starmer to consider his position
Mr McSweeney’s resignation triggered renewed calls from some Labour MPs for Sir Keir himself to consider stepping aside, after months of internal unease about the direction of the government.
Among those speaking out was Brian Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, and said, “The Prime Minister must look at his own position and question whether he should follow McSweeney’s lead one last time, and resign for the good of the country and the Labour Party.”
Before the resignation was announced, Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, had publicly defended Mr McSweeney, saying he would not need to go “if the Prime Minister stays”.
Pressure builds on Downing Street
The episode is expected to fuel further scrutiny of Sir Keir’s leadership in the coming days, with senior figures in the party privately acknowledging that questions about the stability of his government are likely to dominate Westminster in the week ahead.
Mr McSweeney has issued a resignation letter, which has been circulated among MPs and party officials, setting out his reasons for stepping aside.
Read Mr McSweeney’s resignation letter in full here:
After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the Government.The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice. 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.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.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.I remain fully supportive of the Prime Minister. He 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.
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Anybody, left, right, centre, whoever just push Starmer out the way