Morgan McSweeney resigns as Starmer’s chief of staff over Mandelson scandal

Morgan McSweeney has resigned as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff following scandal over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

Mandelson was appointed as ambassador in February last year, but was sacked in September after more information came to light about his relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffery Epstein.

It comes after days of mounting pressure on McSweeney to be removed from his post by Labour MPs, with some warning that if he isn’t sacked the Prime Minister’s own future may be in doubt.

A LabourList poll published last night found that three-quarters of Labour members wanted to see McSweeney resign or be removed from office over the scandal.

He has been succeeded as acting chief of staff by his two deputies, Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson.

McSweeney’s resignation statement in full

In a statement announcing his resignation, McSweeney admitted the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador was “wrong” and said he leaves his role “with pride in all we have achieved, mixed with regret at the circumstances of my departure”.

He 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.”

‘Honour working with McSweeney’

Following news of his resignation, Prime Minister Keir 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.”

‘Let’s move on’, says MP

Labour MPs have reacted to the move with calls for the government to “get on delivering”.

Rugby MP John Slinger said he had been contacted from constituents and others across the country saying “they think the last thing the country needs is leadership speculation and that we should support the Prime Minister”.

Karl Turner, Hull East MP and vocal critic of the government’s plans on jury trial reform, said that McSweeney was right to resign and it is time to “move on”, while Burnley MP Oliver Ryan said: “The hard left and hard right are chuckling and rubbing their hands with glee at all of this, many for old grudges – my constituents just want their cost of living and NHS sorting out.”

North Durham MP and secretary of pro-leadership organisation Labour First Luke Akehurst paid tribute to McSweeney and said his statement was “very dignified… and reflects the character of someone I know to be thoughtful and dedicated to Labour and the security and prosperity of the country”.

However, former shadow Chancellor John McDonnell hinted that McSweeney’s resignation may not bring an end to the matter and said: “Morgan McSweeney’s resignation is the right measure but let’s remember the old adage: advisers advise but ministers decide.”

‘We need a wholesale change in approach’

Left-wing organisation Momentum welcomed McSweeney’s resignation but called for a “wholesale change in approach”.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Only a Labour Party that returns power to members and offers a bold alternative can restore unity and defeat the far right.”

The interim council for the centre-left group Mainstream called for those responsible for Mandelson’s appointment to be “held to account” and said: “We now need to tear our the regressive politics of elite privilege and toxic factionalism that enabled this scandal – and which will only produce more – root and branch.”

Resignation ends long-standing partnership between Starmer and McSweeney

During Prime Minister’s Questions earlier this week, Keir Starmer admitted to MPs that security vetting mentioned Mandelson’s continued relationship with Epstein, but was appointed anyway – following questions that were put to Mandelson. Starmer at the time also expressed full confidence in McSweeney.

The Prime Minister said: “Mandelson completely misrepresented the extent of his relationship with Epstein and lied throughout the process, including in response to the due diligence.”

The news marks the end of a long-standing partnership between Starmer and McSweeney who has long been one of the central figures of the PM’s inner circle, having founded Labour Together and led Starmer’s leadership campaign.

As Labour’s director of campaigns, McSweeney led preparations for the 2024 general elections, including the imposition of a new selection process for parliamentary candidates.

While McSweeney faced calls to resign over alleged briefings to the press against Health Secretary Wes Streeting, his close relationship to Mandelson has brought about the end of his time at the heart of politics.

McSweeney is understood to have been instrumental in Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador and encouraged ministers to defend the appointment even as calls grew for him to be sacked. Allegations published in The i Paper also claim Mandelson had been directly involved in helping McSweeney select parliamentary candidates for the general election.

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