Chief Of Staff Falls On Sword As Party Turns On U.K.’s Starmer Over Epstein-Linked Appointee

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff resigned on Sunday as the premier faces increasing pressure to step aside — some from within his own party — over recent revelations linking one of his former ambassadors to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney stepped down after emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed more about former U.K. Ambassador Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.

In a statement explaining his resignation, McSweeney took responsibility for Starmer’s decision to install Mandelson as the U.K. Ambassador to the United States. Records in the Epstein files have revealed Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein to be much deeper than Mandelson had previously admitted, according to the European Conservative.

“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” said McSweeney.

“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice,” he continued. “In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In these circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.”

The Justice Department released millions of files related to Epstein on January 30. Some of those files revealed emails that appear to show Mandelson sharing confidential information with Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis and after Epstein had been convicted of sex crimes, including a count involving a minor. The revelation is now the basis of a police investigation into Mandelson.

Other files revealed that Epstein paid Mandelson $75,000 between 2003 and 2004, according to the American Conservative.

Starmer released a statement on Sunday showing appreciation for McSweeney’s work. McSweeney had been one of Starmer’s closest and longest serving aides.

“He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country,” said Starmer.

“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service,” he added.

Starmer appointed Mandelson to represent the U.K. in Washington in December of 2024 despite Mandelson’s prior ties to Epstein. After more was revealed about the then-ambassador’s ties to Epstein last year, Mandelson was fired. Mandelson’s fall continued after the most recent release of Epstein documents, with the disgraced ex-ambassador resigning his Labour Party membership and stepping down from the House of Lords.

The scandal erupting around Mandelson has threatened to topple Starmer’s premiership as members of his own party grow frustrated. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said that blaming McSweeney for Mandelson’s appointment is a mistake.

“I don’t think he should,” McFadden told Sky News when asked Sunday if McSweeney should resign. “In the end … it’s a prime ministerial appointment. And prime ministers have to take responsibility for the decisions that they make.”