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Morgan McSweeney announced his resignation on Sunday from his position as the chief of staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His departure comes in the wake of increasing criticism over his involvement in recommending Peter Mandelson for the role of the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States.
In a resignation statement shared with The Guardian, McSweeney admitted that advising Mandelson’s appointment was a “wrong” decision. He took full responsibility for the recommendation and described resigning as the “only honorable course” given the situation.
“Mandelson has damaged our party, our country, and trust in politics itself,” McSweeney stated, acknowledging the difficulty of his decision to step down.
He expressed concern over the loss of public trust due to the controversy and advocated for a comprehensive review of the government’s vetting and due diligence processes. Despite his resignation, McSweeney pledged his ongoing support for Starmer and the Labour government’s objectives.
Morgan McSweeney was last seen attending the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet at Guildhall in London on December 1, 2025. (Chris J. Ratcliffe/Reuters)
Emails and documents made public by the Justice Department in January show Mandelson maintained contact with Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 conviction on two felony counts of soliciting prostitution, one of which involved a minor.
The Associated Press reported that newly surfaced documents indicate Mandelson may have passed along sensitive government information to Epstein in the period following the 2008 global financial crisis.
The outlet also cited documents and financial records indicating Epstein transferred a total of $75,000 in 2003 and 2004 to accounts connected to Mandelson or his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador’s residence in Washington, on Feb. 26, 2025. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told the House of Commons on Sept. 11 that Starmer asked him to withdraw Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States after emails showed Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was “materially different” from what was known at the time of his appointment.
“In particular, Lord Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information,” Doughty said. “In the light of that and mindful, as we all are, of the victims of Epstein’s appalling crimes, Lord Mandelson has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party on Feb. 1.