British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has announced his resignation after coming under fire for appointing Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. Mandelson, a former diplomat and member of the House of Lords, had proven ties to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In his statement, McSweeney admitted that the decision to recommend Mandelson was a mistake that damaged public confidence in politics. “I take full responsibility for this advice,” he said.
- The head of the prime minister’s office, McSweeney, resigned after criticism of the appointment.
- Mandelson has been criticized for his ties to Epstein.
- McSweeney admitted the mistake and took full responsibility.
- Starmer is facing pressure over the Mandelson appointment case.
- The case threatens trust in the government and the prime minister’s position.
Prime Minister Starmer praised McSweeney for his work and described him as a key figure in rebuilding the party after its historic defeat. Even so, Starmer found himself under pressure as his decision to appoint Mandelson sparked a wave of criticism not only from the opposition but also from within his own ranks. According to analysts, this is the most serious political crisis that Starmer has faced since taking office as prime minister.
Mandelson’s ties to Epstein
The controversy surrounding Mandelson deepened after the release of US Justice Department documents that revealed his close ties to Epstein. The materials show that Mandelson passed sensitive information from the British government to Epstein during the financial crisis. Although Mandelson claims he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, he admitted that maintaining contact with him after his first conviction was a mistake.
Mandelson resigned as ambassador to Washington last September and resigned from the House of Lords this week. In his statement, he expressed regret for his decisions and admitted that he believed false information about Epstein. Nevertheless, his actions caused public outrage and undermined confidence in the British government.
Starmer under pressure
Starmer admitted during parliamentary questioning that he knew about Mandelson’s links to Epstein before his appointment, although he said he did not have “detailed information”. However, this admission provoked sharp criticism, not only from the opposition, but also among his party colleagues. Some MPs are already openly talking about the possibility of Starmer leaving the government.
Political analysts warn that this case may have long-term consequences for Starmer’s government. Loss of public trust and internal party tensions could weaken his position ahead of the upcoming elections. The situation thus remains tense and further developments will depend on the Prime Minister’s ability to manage this crisis.
