British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has stepped down amidst controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the U.K.’s ambassador to the United States, despite Mandelson’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Morgan McSweeney resigned, acknowledging his role in advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson to the significant diplomatic position in 2024, stating that it was a mistake.
McSweeney expressed regret, emphasizing that the decision to appoint Mandelson had negative repercussions on the party, country, and public trust in politics. The situation intensified as recently disclosed documents from the extensive Epstein files implied that Mandelson may have shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as the U.K. government’s business secretary amid the 2008 financial crisis.
In response to the mounting scrutiny, Starmer’s government has pledged to disclose internal communications and other relevant materials related to Mandelson’s appointment to demonstrate that Mandelson provided misleading information. Despite the controversy, Mandelson, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, has not faced legal charges.
Following prior revelations regarding Mandelson’s Epstein connections, Starmer had dismissed Mandelson from his diplomatic post in September. However, the emergence of additional emails from the U.S. Justice Department has raised doubts about Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson initially, leading to calls for further scrutiny. Metropolitan Police conducted searches at Mandelson’s London residence and another associated property as part of an ongoing investigation that is expected to involve extensive evidence gathering and analysis.