Starmer’s Chief of Staff Resigns, Citing Role in Mandelson Appointment

The chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, was caught up in the scandal engulfing Britain’s former ambassador to the United States and his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.Morgan McSweeney in December. He served as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff until Sunday, when he resigned.Credit...Chris J. Ratcliffe/ReutersFeb. 8, 2026, 9:49 a.m. ETMorgan McSweeney, the chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain, resigned under pressure on Sunday after days of political upheaval over his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson, a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as ambassador to the United States.Mr. McSweeney, a longtime protégé of Mr. Mandelson’s, said in a statement that “the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.”He added, “When asked, I advised the prime minister to make that appointment, and I take full responsibility for that advice.”Mr. Starmer’s allies in the Labour Party have been calling for Mr. McSweeney to depart for days because emails released by the U.S. Justice Department revealed a much closer relationship than had previously been known between Mr. Mandelson and Mr. Epstein, the wealthy sex offender and disgraced financier who died in prison in 2019.The resignation could dampen calls for Mr. Starmer to step down, or it could accelerate a fast-moving scandal that threatens to bring down the prime minister’s leadership of the first Labour Party government in 14 years.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.Michael D. Shear is a senior Times correspondent covering British politics and culture, and diplomacy around the world.SKIP