"Keir Starmer is fighting to reassert control over his party after accepting the resignation of his closest adviser, Morgan McSweeney, amid anger over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. After days of pressure over the scandal, his departing chief of staff said on Sunday he took full responsibility for his advice to send Mandelson to Washington despite his ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which McSweeney conceded had undermined trust in Labour and in politics itself."
"Starmer's allies hope the departure of one of the most powerful and divisive Labour advisers in recent political history will help quell mounting anger among MPs over his leadership and keep potential challengers at bay. But the loss of the man seen as the architect of Starmer's rise to power is a huge blow. The focus is now set to turn once again to the decision made by the prime minister to appoint Mandelson. McSweeney (right) and Mandelson last June."
Keir Starmer accepted Morgan McSweeney's resignation after intense anger over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. McSweeney admitted full responsibility for advising the appointment despite Mandelson's ongoing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and said this had damaged trust in Labour and politics. Allies hope the departure will calm MPs' anger and deter leadership challenges, but losing a key architect of Starmer's rise is a serious setback. Senior sources warned the prime minister is exposed ahead of upcoming policy and electoral tests, and that the expected release of private documents could increase scrutiny.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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