Starmer’s top aide resigns over Mandelson’s fallout, pressure mounts on Prime Minister

LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned, his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney said in a statement on Sunday, as Starmer faces increased pressure over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.Starmer is facing what is widely seen as his worst crisis of 18 months in power over his decision to send Mandelson to Washington in 2024 after documents revealed his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The departure of McSweeney, a 48-year-old political strategist who played a key role in Starmer’s rise to power, raises questions about the future direction of the government, less than two years after Labor won one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British history.Polls show Starmer is already deeply unpopular with voters, and with some in his own party openly questioning his judgment and future, it remains to be seen whether McSweeney’s exit will be enough to silence critics. McSweeney said he was right to resign because Starmer appointed Mandelson on his advice.“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson is the wrong decision. He undermines trust in our party, our country and in politics itself,” McSweeney said. “When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make such an appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice.” Starmer has spent the last week defending McSweeney, a tactic that is likely to raise further questions about his own judgement. Starmer said in a statement on Sunday that it was “a privilege” to work with McSweeney.New evidence about Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein has emerged over the past ten days, opening old wounds for Starmer and his Labor Party and triggering a police investigation into Mandelson’s alleged misconduct in public office. Documents show the former ambassador leaked government documents to Epstein in 2009 and 2010. Labor MPs in parliament had called for McSweeney’s resignation, accusing him of appointing Mandelson. Many MPs have called for Starmer to resign. Opposition Conservative leader Keimi Badenock said: “Starmer must take responsibility for his terrible decision.”Reuters