Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has resigned admitting the “decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong.”
Many Labour MPs have urged Starmer to sack McSweeney following Mandelson resigning from the government and the House of Lords following fresh information from the Jeffrey Epstein files which was released on 30 January by the US Department of Justice.
It has been reported that McSweeney was a friend of Mandelson and pushed for his appointment of the UK’s ambassador to the US, despite the relationship between the former peer and Epstein.
Many will see McSweeney has taken the fall for the Prime Minister as Starmer is fighting to save his political career.
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McSweeney’s resignation letter reads, “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.
“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take 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.
“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.”
