Morgan McSweeney announced his resignation, saying his decision to appoint Mandelson was wrong and damaged his country. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, on Sunday resigned amid the ongoing controversy over the 2024 appointment of British Ambassador Peter Mandelson, despite his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The resignation comes amid mounting pressure on Starmer over the scandal following the release of emails highlighting Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein. Mandelson was the UK Ambassador to the United States from February 2025 to September 2025. Morgan McSweeney announced his resignation, saying his decision to appoint Mandelson was wrong and damaged his country.
“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,” Morgan McSweeney said in a statement. “I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice,” he added.
However, the pressure was not on McSweeney alone. Starmer is facing one of the worst attacks in his 18 months in power over his decision to send Mandelson to the US in 2024. With McSweeney’s departure, the future direction of the government is into doubt as the the political strategist who was instrumental in Starmer’s rise to power.
