Starmer reacts as chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigns

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Here’s the latest verified news on the fallout from the release of US Epstein Files documents and the political impact in the UK, based on multiple reports:

📉 Major Political Crisis for Keir Starmer’s Government

• Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has resigned amid intense criticism over the decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US — a role he held despite revelations of his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resignation is being seen as an attempt to contain political damage.  
• McSweeney publicly took responsibility for advising Starmer to make the controversial appointment.
  

  McSweeney resigns: Starmer loses ‘right-hand man’

📌 Peter Mandelson at the Centre of the Storm

• The Epstein files include emails suggesting Mandelson maintained contact with Epstein after his conviction, and that he may have shared potentially sensitive material with him.  
• Mandelson has resigned from the Labour Party to prevent further political embarrassment and has also stepped down from the House of Lords amid mounting scrutiny.  
• Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office connected to his dealings with Epstein.  
• Mandelson has denied wrongdoing and apologised to Epstein victims, but the controversy has deepened calls for greater accountability.  

🔥 Pressure on Starmer Mounts

• Starmer has apologised to Epstein’s victims for believing Mandelson’s assurances and for appointing him despite the controversy.  
• Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown criticised Mandelson’s actions sharply, calling them a betrayal and accusing him of putting Britain at risk.  
• Backbench MPs and opposition figures are arguing that Starmer should take responsibility, with some suggesting his own position is untenable unless he takes decisive action.  

🧠 Broader Implications

• The scandal has triggered a debate over vetting processes for senior government appointments and whether No. 10 properly assessed Mandelson’s ties before his diplomatic post was offered.  
• There is also pressure for full transparency on communications surrounding Mandelson’s appointment, which could have implications for public trust and diplomatic norms.  

If you’d like a concise timeline of events or summaries of the key documents showing Mandelson’s connections to Epstein, I can provide that too.