News · 6 February 2026
Starmer faces calls to sack McSweeney over Mandelson Epstein scandal
© UK Parliament / Maria Unger via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces intensifying demands to fire Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney following the Peter Mandelson scandal. Labour MPs, including Simon Opher and Harriet Harman, criticized Starmer as "weak" for appointing Mandelson as US Ambassador despite known Jeffrey Epstein links. The Metropolitan Police launched a misconduct investigation after files revealed Mandelson shared confidential government information. Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords Tuesday, while Downing Street braces for further file releases within days.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs