"Morgan McSweeney has dramatically quit as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff, after mounting scrutiny over his role in Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US. The PM's adviser had been coming under pressure after pushing for the former minister to be given the job, despite the peer's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein being publicly known about at the time."
"Sir Keir has said Lord Mandelson's prior relationship was Epstein was flagged when he was vetted for the role, whilst insisting the former cabinet minister misled him about the depth of the relationship. But it has failed to contain the row over the decision, with a handful of Labour MPs now openly calling for Starmer to resign as party leader."
"Sir Keir sacked Lord Mandelson in September, after emails emerged showing he sent supportive messages to Epstein as he faced charges for sex offences. But further revelations this week from the latest release of Epstein files in the US about his continued contact with the late disgraced financier after his conviction in 2008 have led to fresh fury within Labour over the decision to hand him the role."
Morgan McSweeney resigned as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff after scrutiny of his role in recommending Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US. McSweeney said he did not oversee vetting but took "full responsibility" for advising the appointment. Sir Keir sacked Lord Mandelson in September after emails showed he sent supportive messages to Jeffrey Epstein while Epstein faced sex-offence charges. Newly released Epstein files indicate continued contact after a 2008 conviction and emails alleging Mandelson leaked sensitive government information to Epstein have prompted a police investigation. Several Labour MPs have called for Starmer to resign, and the prime minister is expected to address the issue publicly on Monday.
Read at www.bbc.com
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