Top Aide to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns Over Controversial Peerage Appointment

London.  The Chief of Staff to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on Sunday amid controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson, who has ties to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as a peer to the United States.

Downing Street Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney said in a statement, "After deep reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged the trust in our party, our country, and politics."

He added, "I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice."

McSweeney, an Irishman, was recently described as the UK's 'most powerful person in politics' due to his significant role in Starmer's decisive electoral victory in 2024.

He is credited with helping steer the Labour Party towards a centrist policy agenda following the unfortunate tenure of leader Jeremy Corbyn.