British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has resigned as criticism intensifies over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure after his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney stepped down on Sunday, saying he was directly involved in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
The backlash centres on Starmer’s choice to send Mandelson to Washington in 2024, a decision now at the heart of what many in Westminster describe as the most serious challenge of his 18 months in office.
The release of files detailing Mandelson’s past links to the late Jeffrey Epstein has fuelled the crisis and raised doubts about judgement at the top of government.
McSweeney, regarded as Starmer’s closest adviser and a key figure in Labour's July 2024 election victory, confirmed his role in the process in a statement posted on X by political correspondents.
“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” McSweeney said.
“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice.”
Downing Street has not commented on whether further changes will follow as Starmer works to contain the widening political fallout.
Work and pensions minister Pat McFadden faced questions on Sunday about Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s future, as divisions surfaced inside Labour over Peter Mandelson’s former ambassadorial role.
McFadden did not dismiss the possibility that Starmer could be forced out. “If the Prime Minister stays there, I don’t think that would make any difference at all,” he told the BBC.
Reports in the Telegraph said Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy had warned against Mandelson’s nomination when he served as foreign minister. The Times said Angela Rayner offered similar advice.
When asked whether Starmer’s leadership was in serious trouble, McFadden urged the party to hold together, saying: “I appreciate this has been a week of terrible headlines.”
Mandelson, removed from the role last September, remains under police investigation for alleged misconduct in office.
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