Morgan McSweeney has resigned from his position as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff (Alamy)
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Morgan McSweeney has resigned from his position as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff after mounting pressure over his role in Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
His resignation comes after a growing consensus within the Parliamentary Labour Party this week that Starmer should remove McSweeney as his chief of staff, with many MPs blaming him for Mandelson’s appointment.
On Sunday, Labour peer and former home secretary Lord Blunkett said McSweeney should not remain in the role.
McSweeney’s resignation follows the loss of two other aides last year – his director of political strategy, Paul Ovenden, and his communications head, Steph Driver.
The Prime Minister said on Wednesday that he still had confidence in McSweeney, who is seen as having played a pivotal role in Labour’s win in 2024, claiming he was “an essential part” of the team.
Starmer also made the admission at PMQs on Wednesday that he knew about the ongoing friendship between Peter Mandelson and paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein when the former was appointed as US ambassador. Mandelson was sacked from his position as US ambassador in September after more details about the nature of his relationship with Epstein emerged.
Speaking on Wednesday, Starmer accused Mandelson of betraying the country and lying to Downing Street about his relationship with Epstein, after newly-published documents this week suggested Mandelson had shared confidential information with the paedophile while business secretary under the last Labour administration.
In a letter on Sunday, McSweeney said: “After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government.
“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.”
McSweeney said he had advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and took “full responsibility for that advice”.
“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 added: “This has not been an easy decision. Much has been written and said about me over the years but my motivations have always been simple: I have worked every day to elect and support a government that puts the lives of ordinary people first and leads us to a better future for our great country. Only a Labour government will do that.
“I leave with pride in all we have achieved mixed with regret at the circumstances of my departure. But I have always believed there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for the bigger cause.
“As I leave I have two further reflections: Firstly, and most importantly, we must remember the women and girls whose lives were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for far too long.
“Secondly, while I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled. This cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard for the future.
“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 honour of my life to serve.”
In a statement, Starmer said it had been “an honour working with Morgan McSweeney for many years”.
“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.
“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”
