Starmer reacts as chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigns

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.

  

📌 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.