The chief of staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Morgan McSweeney, resigned on Sunday amidst controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the U.K.’s ambassador to the United States, despite Mandelson’s association with Jeffrey Epstein.
McSweeney acknowledged his role in advising Starmer to appoint 72-year-old Mandelson to the crucial diplomatic position in 2024, stating, “The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was a mistake. It has inflicted harm on our party, our nation, and the public’s trust in politics. I recommended the Prime Minister to make that decision when consulted, and I bear full responsibility for that guidance.”
Recent disclosures from a substantial release of Epstein documents in the U.S. have raised questions about Mandelson’s actions during his tenure as the U.K. government’s business secretary in 2008. Allegations suggest that Mandelson may have shared market-sensitive information with Epstein. This situation has placed Starmer under intense scrutiny and cast doubt on his judgment.
In response to the mounting concerns, Starmer’s government has pledged to disclose internal communications and other paperwork related to Mandelson’s appointment to demonstrate that Mandelson provided misleading information to officials.
Although Mandelson, a former cabinet minister and ambassador, as well as a respected figure in the Labour Party, has not faced legal charges, Metropolitan Police officers conducted searches at his London residence and a connected property. The investigation is described as intricate, necessitating extensive evidence gathering and analysis.
Starmer had previously dismissed Mandelson from his ambassadorial role in September due to earlier revelations regarding his connections to Epstein. However, critics argue that the recently surfaced emails from the U.S. Justice Department have raised serious doubts about Starmer’s decision-making abilities. They contend that Starmer should have exercised better judgment before appointing Mandelson to the diplomatic post.