Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of employees has stop Downing Avenue because the Authorities continues to reel from the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Morgan McSweeney, who has been Sir Keir’s closest aide for almost six years, is resigning after pushing for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.
In an announcement, Mr McSweeney admitted naming the peer as Britain’s high diplomat in Washington DC was ‘flawed’.
He mentioned he was taking ‘full duty’ for advising the Prime Minister to take action, including: ‘Within the circumstances, the one honourable course is to step apart.’
Sir Keir is dealing with the worst disaster of his 18-month premiership following recent revelations about Lord Mandelson’s friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Many Labour MPs have been overtly questioning Sir Keir’s probabilities of remaining in Downing Avenue amid the scandal that has engulfed his Authorities.
Plenty of backbenchers had known as for the scalp of Mr McSweeney – seen as a ‘mentee’ of Lord Mandelson – as they hit out at No10’s resolution to nominate the peer.
Sir Keir has now misplaced two chiefs of employees throughout his time in Downing Avenue, following the exit of Sue Grey in October 2024.
The lack of Mr McSweeney, who was the architect of Sir Keir’s normal election victory, is an extra shattering blow to the PM’s more and more fragile grip on energy.Â
Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s chief of employees, has resigned from authorities
Mr McSweeney mentioned in an announcement:Â ‘After cautious reflection, I’ve determined to resign from the federal government.
‘The choice to nominate Peter Mandelson was flawed. He has broken our social gathering, our nation and belief in politics itself.
‘When requested, I suggested the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full duty for that recommendation. In public life duty have to be owned when it issues most, not simply when it’s most handy. Within the circumstances, the one honourable course is to step apart.
‘This has not been a straightforward resolution. A lot has been written and mentioned about me through the years however my motivations have at all times been easy: I’ve labored daily to elect and help a authorities that places the lives of peculiar folks first and leads us to a greater future for our nice nation. Solely a Labour authorities will try this. I go away with pleasure in all we have now achieved combined with remorse on the circumstances of my departure. However I’ve at all times believed there are moments when you have to settle for your duty and step apart for the larger trigger.
‘As I go away I’ve two additional reflections:
‘Firstly, and most significantly, we should bear in mind the ladies and women whose lives have been ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for much too lengthy.
‘Secondly, whereas I didn’t oversee the due diligence and vetting course of, I consider that course of should now be basically overhauled. This can not merely be a gesture however a safeguard for the longer term.
‘I stay totally supportive of the Prime Minister. He’s working daily to rebuild belief, restore requirements and serve the nation. I’ll proceed to again that mission in no matter approach I can. It has been the honour of my life to serve.’
Extra to comply with…Â
