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.
Iran warned U.S. forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United S...
Uzbekistan has unveiled a series of major economic and regional initiatives as more than 4,000 delegates from over 100 countries gather in Samarkan...
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). ...
Talks between the U.S. and Iran remain in a delicate state after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a 14-poin...
European allies are stepping up efforts to meet military commitments following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to NATO Secret...
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla commemorated victims of the 11 September, 2001, an al Qaeda attack on New York City on Wednesday, laying a floral bouquet at the memorial where the World Trade Centre's twin towers once stood.
Nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET), a new report warns, placing Britain among the worst-performing wealthy European nations.
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday afternoon for a four-day visit. The visit has gained added prominence following the White House Correspondents’ dinner shooting and growing tensions between the close allies.
Ukraine is monitoring “unusual activity” along its border with Belarus, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video statement released on Saturday (2 May). He warned that Kyiv is ready to respond if necessary amid continued regional tensions linked to Russia’s war.
China has moved to block U.S. sanctions on five of its oil refineries, in a fresh escalation of tensions over trade and energy policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will “soon be reviewing” a new 14-point proposal sent by Iran, casting doubt on the chances of a deal after Tehran called for security guarantees, an end to naval blockades and a halt to the war across the region, including in Lebanon.
Malian authorities have launched an investigation into suspected soldiers accused of involvement in coordinated attacks on military bases carried out by militants linked to al Qaeda and separatist Tuareg rebels on 25 April 2026.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
European allies are stepping up efforts to meet military commitments following criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment