Europe Asia News

McSweeney, who had long been the prime minister’s closest aide, said he fully accepts responsibility for the advice he gave the prime minister regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

As pressure on Starmer intensified following the scandal, Mandelson’s position became increasingly indefensible. The scandal emerged after the publication of emails revealing the extent of Mandelson’s relationship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

McSweeney said he “fully accepts” responsibility for advising the appointment, noting that the decision undermined trust in the Labour Party, the country and politics, and described his resignation as “an honourable course”.

However, his departure will be a major blow for the prime minister, who has lost a number of close advisers in recent months and relied on his political judgment; despite frequent criticism of the prime ministerial residence, McSweeney’s political judgment was of great importance.