By SCM Staff Writer
MORGAN McSweeney has resigned as the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, admitting he made a “grave error” in backing Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US envoy.
In a bombshell resignation letter that has rocked Downing Street, the man widely seen as the architect of the Government’s election victory said he could no longer remain in his post after failing to “properly weigh” the public outcry over Lord Mandelson’s past ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The departure comes after weeks of mounting pressure on Number 10 regarding Mandelson’s suitability for the high-profile diplomatic role in Washington.
In a moving passage of his letter, McSweeney pivoted from political logistics to the victims of the sex offender, writing:
”In the swirl of high-stakes diplomacy, we must never forget the women and girls whose lives were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein. For far too long, their voices went unheard.
My advice to appoint Lord Mandelson was a failure to respect that truth, and for that, I take full responsibility.”
The Mandelson Factor
The appointment of “Lord Bobby” was intended to leverage his extensive connections in D.C. to smooth over UK-US relations.
However, critics from both sides of the aisle had flagged his historical friendship with Epstein as a “moral non-starter.”
McSweeney, usually a master of backroom strategy, admitted he had been “blinded by pragmatism” and had underestimated the strength of feeling regarding the Epstein scandal.
To understand why this resignation has sent shockwaves through Westminster, one must look at the players involved:
Morgan McSweeney: Often described as the “brains” of the operation, McSweeney was the man who transformed the party’s fortunes. His exit leaves a massive power vacuum at the heart of Government.
The Mandelson Connection: Lord Mandelson has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding his relationship with Epstein, which dates back several years.
However, the optics of sending a figure with such baggage to represent Britain on the world stage proved to be a bridge too far for the public—and ultimately, for McSweeney’s conscience.
The Fallout: This is the first major cabinet-level crisis of the term.
By taking “full responsibility,” McSweeney has attempted to shield the Prime Minister from the blast, but questions are already being asked about why the PM didn’t vet the advice more thoroughly.
What Happens Next?
Downing Street has confirmed the search for a new Chief of Staff will begin “immediately,” while the fate of Lord Mandelson’s ambassadorship remains precariously in the balance.
