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The British Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Keir Starmer, resigned on Sunday over the scandal surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as British ambassador to the US despite his links to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Morgan McSweeney told reporters on Sunday: “The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was the wrong one. He has undermined confidence in our party, our country and politics itself.”
The Downing Street Chief of Staff is the most senior political advisor to the British Prime Minister.
Mr McSweeney said he took “full responsibility” for advising Mr Starmer on his appointment last year, adding: “In these circumstances, the only honorable course of action is to resign.”
“While I do not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe it is time for a fundamental overhaul. This is not just a gesture, but a safeguard for the future,” McSweeney said.
Mr Starmer thanked his outgoing chief of staff for his service and dedication to the Labor Party. “It is largely because of the Prime Minister’s dedication, loyalty and leadership that we have the overwhelming majority and the chance to transform our country,” he said in a statement.
The latest portion of the Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice marks the beginning of a police investigation into Mandelson for allegedly passing market-sensitive government information to Epstein that clearly benefited him financially after the 2008 financial crisis. Police searched two of Mr Mandelson’s properties on Friday as part of an investigation into misconduct in public office.
Mr Mandelson left the Labor Party last Sunday and resigned from the House of Lords, the upper house of the British parliament, on Wednesday. CNN has not been able to reach Mandelson this week.
The Mandelson scandal has plunged Keir Starmer’s government into crisis and called into question the prime minister’s political judgment. Mr Starmer appointed Mr Mandelson as ambassador last year. Her friendship with Mr. Epstein is well known, and it continued even after Mr. Epstein was convicted in 2008 of pimping an underage girl.
CNN’s Christian Edwards contributed reporting.
