Morgan McSweeney, chief of staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, resigned on Sunday amid intense backlash over his role in recommending Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States.
In a statement obtained by The Guardian, McSweeney admitted the appointment was “wrong” and took full responsibility. “He [Mandelson] has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” he wrote, describing his exit as the “only honourable course” amid the fallout.
McSweeney, a key Labour Party strategist, noted the decision wasn’t easy but stressed the need for a “fundamental overhaul” of the government’s vetting and due-diligence processes. He pledged ongoing support for Starmer and Labour’s agenda.
The scandal erupted after emails and documents released by the U.S. Justice Department in January revealed Mandelson’s continued contact with Jeffrey Epstein following Epstein’s 2008 conviction on two felony counts of soliciting prostitution, including one involving a minor. The Associated Press reported that newly surfaced files suggest Mandelson may have shared sensitive government information with Epstein during the post-2008 global financial crisis period.
Critics, including opposition voices and some within Labour, accused the appointment of undermining public trust.Starmer’s office has not yet commented on a successor, but the episode marks a turbulent start to 2026 for the Labour government, already facing scrutiny over economic policies and internal divisions.