UK PM’s Senior Advisor Resigns Over Mandelson-Epstein Ties

• Mandelson harmed the party and eroded public trust in politics: McSweeney.
• States “the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was a mistake”.
• His resignation coincides with the government’s review of Mandelson’s exit package.

LONDON: The chief of staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on Sunday over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, due to his connections with convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down from my position. The choice to appoint Peter Mandelson was a mistake. He has done damage to our party, our country, and public confidence in politics,” Morgan McSweeney, Downing Street’s chief of staff, said in a statement.

“I recommended the Prime Minister make that appointment and take full responsibility for that advice,” he added.

The 48-year-old Irishman has maintained a low profile but has been called the “most influential person in politics” by some, having played a key role in Starmer’s decisive victory in the July 2024 elections.

He is credited with shifting the Labour Party toward a more centrist policy platform after Jeremy Corbyn’s unsuccessful leadership. He has also been close to Mandelson, who previously helped Tony Blair reshape Labour and improve its fortunes in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

His resignation comes amid a review by the foreign ministry of Mandelson’s severance package, as Starmer dismissed Mandelson last September over his friendship with Epstein.

Mandelson, a significant figure in UK politics and the Labour Party for many years, received an estimated payout between $52,000 and $74,000 after just seven months in the role, according to the Sunday Times.

Declassified documents released on January 30 by the U.S. Justice Department suggest Mandelson allegedly leaked confidential UK government information to Epstein during his time as a British minister, including during the 2008 financial crisis.

These disclosures have intensified pressure on Starmer and prompted a police investigation into Mandelson, who is 72, for potential misconduct in public office.

The Foreign Office announced it has started reviewing Mandelson’s severance payment “in light of new information and ongoing police inquiries.”

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has argued that Starmer should stay in office despite the serious mistake of appointing Mandelson. He placed the blame largely on Mandelson himself for putting forward his name despite knowing his connection to Epstein.

Expresses ‘Regret’

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Starmer’s deputy, David Lammy, was the first senior official to seemingly distance himself from the Prime Minister, reportedly opposing Mandelson’s appointment because of his known Epstein ties.

Starmer’s Labour Party came into power just over 18 months ago with a sweeping victory but has fallen behind Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the polls amid criticism over immigration, economic growth, and the rising cost of living.

Reform UK has maintained a double-digit lead in public opinion polls for more than a year.

Mandelson, a former EU trade commissioner, stepped down from the House of Lords earlier this week. His association with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges, has further tarnished his reputation.

A spokesperson for Mishcon de Reya, representing Mandelson, stated he “regrets deeply that he believed Epstein’s false claims about his criminality” and is remorseful for not recognizing Epstein’s true nature sooner. The firm added, “Lord Mandelson only learned the full truth after Epstein’s death and is profoundly sorry that vulnerable women and girls were not protected.”

Starmer publicly praised McSweeney, saying, “Much of our election success is due to his dedication, loyalty, and leadership.” He expressed gratitude for his service.