ancier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement to reporters, McSweeney said the appointment had been a serious error. He acknowledged that Mandelson’s selection had undermined public trust, harmed the Labour Party’s standing, and damaged confidence in the political system. As Downing Street’s chief of staff — the prime minister’s most senior political adviser — McSweeney said he could not distance himself from the consequences of the decision.
He admitted that he had advised Starmer on the appointment last year and said that, given the circumstances, stepping aside was “the only honourable course.” While McSweeney noted that he was not directly responsible for overseeing the due diligence and vetting process, he stressed that the system must now be fundamentally reformed to prevent similar failures in the future.
Prime Minister Starmer accepted the resignation and publicly praised McSweeney’s contribution, crediting him with playing a central role in Labour’s landslide election victory. In a statement, Starmer described his outgoing chief of staff as dedicated, loyal and instrumental in giving the party the opportunity to govern and pursue change.
The crisis intensified after the latest batch of Epstein-related files released by the US Justice Department prompted a police investigation into Mandelson. Authorities are examining allegations that Mandelson may have shared market-sensitive government information that could have benefited Epstein in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. As part of the probe, police raided two of Mandelson’s properties on Friday while investigating potential misconduct in public office.
Under growing pressure, Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party last Sunday and stepped down from the House of Lords earlier this week. Attempts to reach him for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
The unfolding scandal has plunged Starmer’s government into turmoil just months into its tenure, raising serious questions about political judgment and accountability at the highest levels. Critics argue that appointing Mandelson — despite his well-known friendship with Epstein, which reportedly continued even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction — represents a major lapse in scrutiny. As investigations continue, the controversy shows no sign of fading and threatens to cast a long shadow over the prime minister’s leadership.
