McSweeney's exit has left Starmer seriously wounded

Poll shows 55 per cent of voters believe the PM should go

- DAVID MADDOX POLITICAL EDITOR

Morgan McSweeney has resigned as Keir Starmer's Downing Street chief of staff over his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

Sir Keir’s right-hand man, who was credited with masterminding Labour’s landslide election victory in 2024, has stepped down from his role, claiming he takes “full responsibility” for the advice to hire Lord Mandelson.

It comes amid mounting pressure on the prime minister over the scandal and is already being perceived as a damage limitation exercise to save Sir Keir’s premiership. An Opinium poll over the weekend showed that 55 per cent believe the prime minister should go too.

Mr McSweeney was seen as instrumental in the appointment of Lord Mandelson to the most important diplomatic post, a decision which has become an embarrassment for the government following the latest revelations about his relationship with convicted paedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement, Mr McSweeney said: “After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.

“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.”

Insisting that he “leaves with pride”, he called for a complete overhaul of the vetting procedures in the future, warning that they “cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard”.