Morgan McSweeney, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, has resigned, taking full responsibility for advising the PM to appoint Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US last year, a decision he now admits was wrong.
In a statement, McSweeney said he accepts responsibility for the controversial recommendation, while Starmer expressed gratitude for his service, calling him “a key figure in our party’s work.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said, “It’s about time,” but added that Starmer must also take responsibility for his own decisions.
McSweeney, a central figure in the Starmer project, masterminded Labour’s 2024 general election landslide victory and has been described as the PM’s closest aide. He joined Starmer during his leadership bid in 2020 and later became the party’s campaign director before assuming the chief of staff role after Sue Gray’s departure.
Known for shaping Labour’s strategy on immigration and crime to broaden the party’s appeal, McSweeney has long been a significant yet low-profile figure, with few public appearances despite his influence. Early in his career, he worked to counter the party’s left wing in Lambeth and set up a think tank opposing Jeremy Corbyn’s direction.
His resignation marks a significant shake-up in Downing Street, underscoring the high-profile impact of internal advisers on government appointments and party strategy.
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