Morgan McSweeney, the chief of staff for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, submitted his resignation on Sunday. This decision follows days of intense political turmoil surrounding his recommendation of Peter Mandelson, a known associate of Jeffrey Epstein, for the role of ambassador to the United States.
McSweeney, who has long been a protégé of Mandelson, issued a statement acknowledging the error. He stated, “The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country, and trust in politics itself.”
He further clarified, “When asked, I advised the prime minister to make that appointment, and I take full responsibility for that advice.”
Pressure mounted on McSweeney from within the Labour Party for his resignation, intensified by recent revelations. Emails released by the U.S. Justice Department exposed a far more extensive relationship than previously disclosed between Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious financier and convicted sex offender who passed away in prison in 2019.
While this resignation might ease some immediate demands for Prime Minister Starmer himself to step down, it also risks escalating an already rapidly unfolding scandal. This crisis could potentially destabilize his leadership, marking the first Labour Party government in over a decade.
This remains a developing story, and further updates will be provided as they become available.