Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Controversy Over Mandelson Appointment

In a significant upheaval for the UK Labour Party, the Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has tendered his resignation. The resignation comes on the heels of a contentious decision regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. McSweeney, acknowledging his role in the decision-making process, stated, "I take full responsibility for my advice to Starmer to elevate Mandelson to the position. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has harmed our party, our country, and the trust in politics." The resignation adds to what has developed into a crisis for Starmer, who was only defending McSweeney's position a mere week prior. Starmer expressed solidarity with McSweeney, stating that it was an honor to work with him, but the situation has evolved rapidly following the emergence of new documents highlighting Mandelson's connections to the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The documents revealed suggest that Mandelson may have transferred sensitive government documents to Epstein between 2009 and 2010, further raising concerns regarding the decision to appoint him ambassador to Washington in 2024. As police investigations into potential misconduct in office are underway, calls for McSweeney’s resignation from Labour MPs have intensified, with many accusing him of failing to perform due diligence in vetting Mandelson. This incident threatens to become one of the most significant challenges for Starmer since taking office 18 months ago. With McSweeney's resignation, questions abound regarding the future trajectory of the Labour government and Starmer's leadership amidst declining polling numbers. Discontent is simmering not just from external critics but also from within the ranks of the Labour Party, where criticism of Starmer’s judgment has become more pronounced. As the political landscape shifts, the repercussions of this appointment and subsequent resignation may lead to a reshuffling of strategy within the Labour Party, as Starmer attempts to regain public trust and solidify his leadership. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3