Epstein caused a quake in Downing Street. Starmer's most important adviser resigns

Morgan McSweeney resigned on Sunday as Downing Street's chief of staff, i.e. the most important advisor to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He announced that he was taking responsibility for nominating Peter Mandelson, who had contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, as ambassador to the US.

“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He did damage to our party, our country and trust in politics in general. When I was asked for advice, I advised the Prime Minister to make this nomination, and I take full responsibility for that advice. In public life, responsibility must be taken when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In this situation, the only honorable solution is to step down,” he said in a statement. McSweeney.

For several days, as further details of Mandelson's acquaintance with Epstein, the late American financier and convicted sex offender, came to light, the British media, as well as some members of the ruling Labor Party, assessed that if Starmer wanted to save his position, he would have to sacrifice McSweeney.

Mandelson is one of the most significant Labor politicians of the last three decades. He held ministerial positions in the cabinets of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and was also EU Commissioner for Trade. A few months after Labor returned to power in 2024, the new Prime Minister Starmer appointed him ambassador to the US.

He was dismissed from his position in September last year, after only seven months, when it emerged that his contacts with Epstein had lasted longer than previously known. Documents from the Epstein investigation published in the US last week also suggest that Mandelson accepted money from him and provided him with confidential government information.

“It was an honor to work with Morgan McSweeney for many years. He changed the fate of our party after one of the worst defeats in its history and played a key role in running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership skills that we won the vast majority of votes and have a chance to change the country,” Starmer declared in response to McSweeney's resignation. (PAP)

bjn/ akl/