Starmer’s Chief of Staff Quits as Mandelson Furor Engulfs PM

Keir Starmer’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney quit his post on Sunday, becoming the casualty of a furor over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington that now threatens the prime minister’s own position.

The loss of his key aide is a hammer blow to Starmer, who as recently as Wednesday said he retained confidence in McSweeney and considered him an “essential part of my team.” With the Irishman the architect of Labour’s 2024 election landslide win and the prime minister’s closest senior adviser, his departure leaves the prime minister exposed at a time when frustrated members of parliament are braying for change at the top.