Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, has resigned amid fallout over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. McSweeney said he took “full responsibility” for advising the prime minister to appoint Mandelson, whose ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have sparked controversy.
In a statement, McSweeney said the decision was “wrong” and had “damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.” He added: “In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.”
Downing Street confirmed that Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson, McSweeney’s deputies, will take over as acting chiefs of staff with immediate effect. Labour MPs were divided, with some lamenting his departure and others arguing it was overdue.
McSweeney, a key architect of Labour’s 2024 election victory, had become a lightning rod for criticism over the party’s direction on issues like immigration and welfare. Allies suggested he may return to politics in the future but plans to step away for now.
