BLAME ME

Keir's adviser McSweeney quits 10 Downing Street | 'Appointment of Mandelson to job was wrong'.

- DAVID BURKE

DOWNING Street was in turmoil yesterday as Keir Starmer's Irish top aide dramatically quit, leaving the UK Prime Minister fighting for his political survival.

Morgan McSweeney, who is from Macroom in Co Cork, said stepping down as chief of staff was the only honourable course as the Peter Mandelson scandal continues.

The powerful adviser, who is credited with propelling Mr Starmer to No10, worked with Mandelson early in his career and it is claimed he insisted on handing him the job of US ambassador. Resigning yesterday afternoon, Mr McSweeney said: "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. The only honourable course is to step aside."

Sources last night said his deputies Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson will take his place as joint chiefs of staff.