The UK government said on Sunday that Morgan McSweeney has resigned as prime minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff amid the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Starmer’s right-hand man was under intense pressure to resign after being blamed by many in the UK Labour Party for encouraging the appointment of his ally Mandelson as ambassador to the US, despite knowing that his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein continued after Epstein’s conviction for child sex offences.
McSweeney said the decision to appoint Mandelson to the job was “wrong” and that he took full responsibility for advising Starmer to go through with the appointment.
Mandelson was sacked last year over his relationship with Epstein, but outrage in Westminster has intensified after the latest release of documents showed Mandelson leaked information to his friend Epstein while he was a government minister.
McSweeney’s exit came as the UK government’s Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden urged Labour MPs not to try and oust Starmer over the scandal, saying it would damage the UK economy and damage the UK’s “international reputation”.
McSweeney, who is Irish, said: “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.”
Starmer said: “It’s been an honour working with Morgan McSweeney for many years. He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country.
“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”