Morgan McSweeney has resigned as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff amid the fall-out from the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Several Labour MPs blamed him for the appointment of the former Labour peer to ambassador of the US.
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Mandelson was sacked from that position in September, but new Epstein files suggesting he shared confidential information with the convicted sex offender when he was a cabinet minister brought the issue back into the spotlight.
In a statement 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 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.”
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I remain fully supportive of the Prime Minister. He is working every day to rebuild trust, restore standards and serve the country. I will continue to back that mission in whatever way I can. It has been the honour of my life to serve.
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.
This has not been an easy decision. Much has been written and said about me over the years but my motivations have always been simple: I have worked every day to elect and support a government that puts the lives of ordinary people first and leads us to a better future for our great country.
Only a Labour government will do that. I leave with pride in all we have achieved mixed with regret at the circumstances of my departure. But I have always believed there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for the bigger cause.
As I leave I have two further reflections:
Firstly, and most importantly, we must remember the women and girls whose lives were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for far too long.
Secondly, while I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled. This cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard for the future.
I remain fully supportive of the prime minister. He is working every day to rebuild trust, restore standards and serve the country. I will continue to back that mission in whatever way I can. It has been the honour of my life to serve.
Mr McSweeney ran Sir Keir’s Labour leadership bid. There has long been concerns about how much influence he holds, with many Labour MPs accusing him of marginalising the left within the party.
In a statement responding to resignation, Sir Keir said it had been an “honour” to work with his right hand man.
He added: “He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country.
“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”
The Mandelson scandal has also led to questions over Sir Keir Starmer’s judgement.
Earlier, cabinet minister Pat McFadden told Sky News he did not think Mr McSweeeny should resign as the responsibility for appointments “lie with the prime minister”.
Reacting to the news, veteran left-wing rebel John McDonnell posted on X: “Morgan McSweeney’s resignation is the right measure but let’s remember the old adage: Advisers advise but ministers decide.”
However other MPs hope Mr McSweeney’s resignation will put the matter to bed.
Karl Turner said it was the right decision and Labour must now “move on”.
Oliver Ryan, the Labour MP for Burnley, said: “The hard left and hard right are chuckling & rubbing their hands with glee at all this – many for old grudges – my constituents just want their cost of living & NHS sorting out.”
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