Morgan McSweeney resigns after advising Mandelson appointment

Morgan McSweeney has resigned as chief of staff after pushing for Peter Mandelson to be appointed UK ambassador to the US despite Mandelson’s known ties to Jeffrey Epstein. In his resignation statement McSweeney said: “When asked, I advised the prime minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice.

In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.” Keir Starmer paid tribute to McSweeney, saying it had been an honour to work with him, and appointed Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson as acting chiefs of staff with immediate effect.

Both had served as deputy chiefs of staff since 2024; Cuthbertson is known for logistics and operations having worked under Gordon Brown and on Ed Miliband’s events team, while Alakeson led outreach to the business community and previously worked at the Resolution Foundation and the Treasury.

United Kingdom, United States

morgan mcsweeney, peter mandelson, jeffrey epstein, resignation, keir starmer, uk ambassador, jill cuthbertson, vidhya alakeson, resolution foundation, treasury