Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to dismiss his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, as the Peter Mandelson Epstein scandal deepens. Labour MP Simon Opher publicly called for McSweeney's removal, stating that Starmer has been 'badly advised' and 'really let down' over the appointment of Mandelson as US ambassador despite concerns about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman criticised the prime minister, saying he appeared 'weak, naive and gullible' after apologising for appointing Mandelson. She argued that Starmer should never have considered Mandelson for the role and that blaming Mandelson for lying was the wrong approach.
The controversy escalated after newly released US court documents revealed that Epstein gave Mandelson $75,000, which Mandelson claims not to recall, and that Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein while serving under Gordon Brown. Downing Street confirmed on Thursday that McSweeney retains Starmer's confidence, but Opher insisted that a 'clearout at No 10' is needed.
Ministers are now being asked to hand over communications with Mandelson, with officials expecting the release of related files within days. Some Labour MPs are waiting to see these documents before deciding whether to call for Starmer's resignation. Immigration minister Mike Tapp expressed support for Starmer, saying the prime minister's apology was genuine and that sticking with him would lead to improvement.
