Politics · 8 February 2026
Starmer chief of staff McSweeney resigns admitting Mandelson appointment error
Photo by Jessi Pena on Unsplash
Keir Starmer’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney resigned on February 8, 2026, admitting the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador was "wrong." This high-profile exit follows Mandelson’s September 2025 sacking over leaked emails linking him to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Senior minister Pat McFadden insisted leaders must take responsibility as Starmer loses his "right-hand man," intensifying pressure on the government ahead of the May 2026 elections.
Reported by Sky News · How we write briefs