UK Prime Minister loses his chief of staff amid Epstein scandal
Keir Starmer (photo: Getty Images)
Morgan McSweeney, UK PM Keir Starmer's chief of staff, has resigned following controversy over the appointment of former Labour Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, according to Sky News and Reuters.
Read also: Bill Clinton, named in Epstein files, agrees to testify before Congress
Several Labour MPs blamed him for appointing the former Labour peer as ambassador to the US.
Although Lord Mandelson was removed from the post in September, new documents in the Jeffrey Epstein case have brought renewed attention to the matter. According to the publications, he shared confidential information with the convicted sex offender while serving as business minister in 2009–2010, during the global financial crisis.
Morgan McSweeney called the decision to appoint Mandelson "wrong" and acknowledged that Mandelson had damaged the party, the country, and public trust in politics. He added that he takes full responsibility for the advice to appoint Mandelson.
"In public life, responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside," he said.
In response to the resignation, Keir Starmer said it had been a great honor for him to work with McSweeney.
"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," Sir Starmer concluded.
Reuters notes that the departure of McSweeney, who played a key role in bringing Starmer to power, marks yet another setback for the Labour Party, less than two years after securing one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British history.
Background
A week ago, the media reported that former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party to avoid additional problems for the party amid new revelations in the Epstein case.
A new batch of Epstein files was released on January 30. Documents contained references to "orgy parties" reportedly attended by current US President Donald Trump.
