British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff resigned on Sunday amidst controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the U.K.’s ambassador to the United States, given his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Morgan McSweeney acknowledged his role in advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson, 72, to the pivotal diplomatic position in 2024.
In a statement, McSweeney admitted the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was a mistake, highlighting its detrimental impact on their party, the nation, and public trust in politics. He took full responsibility for recommending the appointment when consulted by the Prime Minister.
Starmer is now grappling with criticism and scrutiny over his decision-making following the release of new documents from the vast Epstein files in the U.S. These documents imply that Mandelson may have shared sensitive financial information with Epstein during his tenure as the U.K. government’s business secretary amidst the 2008 financial crisis.
The government under Starmer’s leadership has committed to disclosing internal communications and other relevant materials related to Mandelson’s appointment to demonstrate that Mandelson provided misleading information to officials.
Despite being a former cabinet minister, ambassador, and respected figure within the Labour Party, Mandelson has not faced any legal charges or arrests in connection to the Epstein scandal. The Metropolitan Police recently conducted searches at Mandelson’s London residence and another associated property as part of an ongoing investigation deemed complex and requiring substantial evidence gathering and analysis.
Earlier, Starmer had dismissed Mandelson from his ambassadorial role in September due to previous disclosures regarding his ties to Epstein. However, critics argue that the recently uncovered emails released by the U.S. Justice Department have raised serious doubts about Starmer’s judgment, suggesting that he should have exercised better discretion in appointing Mandelson initially.