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By Steve Mollman and Peter Aitken
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Morgan McSweeney, the chief of staff to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, resigned on Sunday amid a scandal around the appointment of Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to the U.S. The appointment came despite Mandelson's links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong," McSweeney said in a statement to reporters on Sunday. "He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself."
Why It Matters
McSweeney's resignation marks another blow to Starmer's government and standing with the electorate as the country continues to reel from the fresh revelations about ties between high-profile British names and Epstein.
Read More on Politics
The scandal has already seen Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, stripped of his titles and forced out of his mansion, Royal Lodge, due to his increasingly apparent close ties to Epstein, as well as Mandelson who resigned from his post as ambassador following revelations of a much closer relationship with the financier than previously disclosed.
Starmer's decision to appoint Mandelson has turned into a political crisis, with critics alleging Starmer was, at best, naive in his choice of Mandelson, pointing to past scandals that forced him from office and evidence of a relationship with Epstein that required deeper scrutiny. Starmer, however, contends that Mandelson had lied repeatedly about his relationship, saying it was "a litany of deceit.”
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What To Know
McSweeney has taken responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician who was seen as experienced and adept enough with trade expertise and contacts to help the U.K. navigate negotiations and dealings with President Donald Trump.
“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice," McSweeney wrote in a statement. "In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honorable course is to step aside."
He continued: “I remain fully supportive of the prime minister. He is working every day to rebuild trust, restore standards and serve the country. I will continue to back that mission in whatever way I can. It has been the honor of my life to serve.”
Last week, Starmer admitted during questioning from Parliament that he was aware of Mandelson's relationship with Epstein, which surfaced during the 2024 vetting process to appoint him as ambassador—a relationship that continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sexual offenses involving a minor.
Even Labour Party members have openly questioned Starmer, such as Paula Barker, member of parliament (MP) Liverpool Wavertree, who told the BBC that the prime minister has "shown his judgement is questionable."
“I think he has a very long way to go to rebuild trust and confidence with the public, and trust and confidence within our party,” she said.
What People Are Saying
Labour MP Calvin Bailey in a Sky News interview on Sunday: "This is quite sad for the party and ultimately for the country. Morgan McSweeney, regardless of what people think about him, was someone that changed the party into a party that stopped looking inwards and speaking to each other and focused on talking to the country and delivering for the people. Most of this is just satisfying the thirst for some kind of blame."
Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage wrote on X on Sunday: "As predicted McSweeney has gone. Labour are just continuing the chaos we saw under the Tories. My money says Starmer won’t be far behind after Labour’s disaster in the elections this coming May."
What Happens Next
The British government plans to release files related to Mandelson's vetting process in hopes that it may exonerate Starmer by showing the extent to which Mandelson lied or covered up the true extent of his connections to Epstein.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 2/8/26, 1 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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