London, United Kingdom – Morgan McSweeney, chief of staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has resigned his position following mounting pressure over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. The resignation, announced on , marks a significant blow to Starmer’s administration and raises further questions about the vetting process for high-level diplomatic appointments.
McSweeney, an Irish-born political strategist credited with playing a pivotal role in Labour’s resurgence and landslide victory in the 2024 UK general election, stated he took “full responsibility” for advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson. He acknowledged that the decision had damaged trust in the Labour Party, the country and the political system itself, deeming his departure the “honourable course” of action.
“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” McSweeney said in a statement. “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 We see most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.”
The controversy surrounding Mandelson’s appointment stems from his continued association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The release of documents detailing the extent of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein fueled public outrage and prompted calls for Starmer to reconsider the appointment. While Mandelson has not been accused of wrongdoing, the optics of the relationship proved politically damaging.
Starmer publicly acknowledged McSweeney’s contributions, stating it had been “an honour working with Morgan McSweeney for many years.” He highlighted McSweeney’s instrumental role in revitalizing the Labour Party after a period of electoral setbacks and in orchestrating the successful 2024 election campaign. “He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country,” Starmer said. “Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”
McSweeney’s departure is particularly notable given his long-standing alliance with Starmer and his central position within the Labour leadership. He began his career working to reform the Labour party, and his political judgment was often sought, even when it drew criticism. His exit leaves a void within Starmer’s inner circle and raises questions about the stability of the administration.
The resignation comes at a sensitive time for the Labour government, which is still navigating the challenges of implementing its ambitious policy agenda. The Mandelson affair has diverted attention from key domestic priorities and exposed vulnerabilities within the government’s decision-making processes.
McSweeney used his resignation statement to emphasize the importance of remembering the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and to call for a fundamental overhaul of the vetting process for government appointments. “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,” he stated. He also argued that the due diligence process “must now be fundamentally overhauled,” adding that any changes should be “a safeguard for the future.”
The Conservative party has seized on McSweeney’s resignation as an opportunity to attack Starmer’s leadership. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative party leader, welcomed the departure but criticized Starmer for attempting to deflect blame. “It’s about time. But once again with this PM it’s somebody else’s fault: ‘Mandelson lied to me’ or ‘Morgan advised me’,” Badenoch said. “Keir Starmer has to take responsibility for his own terrible decisions. But he never does.”
The fallout from the Mandelson appointment and McSweeney’s subsequent resignation is likely to reverberate through British politics for some time. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough vetting and the potential consequences of overlooking past associations, even those that do not involve direct allegations of wrongdoing. The Labour government will now face increased scrutiny over its appointment processes and its commitment to upholding ethical standards in public life.
McSweeney concluded his statement by reaffirming his support for Starmer and his belief in the Labour government’s ability to deliver positive change for the country. “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.”
