UK Government Rocked by Scandal Over Appointed Ambassador's Ties to Epstein
In a stunning turn of events, the top aide to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned after an uproar over the appointment of former Labour Party stalwart Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The move comes amid mounting evidence that Mandelson had a close relationship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Morgan McSweeney, 48, cited "careful reflection" before announcing his decision to leave the government, stating that Starmer's appointment of Mandelson was "wrong." He attributed the damage caused by the move to both the party and the nation. Furthermore, McSweeney confessed to having advised the Prime Minister on the appointment.
Labour MPs had previously called for McSweeney's resignation in light of the revelations about Mandelson's ties to Epstein. In recent weeks, documents released from the US Department of Justice have shed further light on their relationship, including an exchange that allegedly involved confidential UK government information during a major financial crisis in 2008.
Mandelson had only held his new position for seven months before being sacked by Starmer over his friendship with Epstein. Following his dismissal, Mandelson also quit the Labour Party and House of Lords due to public pressure and controversy surrounding his personal connections to the convicted sex offender.
The revelation about Mandelson's severance package has sparked a review into the payment made to him after he was fired from his position. An exit payment of between $52,000 and $74,000 is believed to have been paid out to him following only seven months on the job, according to reports published by the Sunday Times.
It is unclear how this scandal will affect Starmer's chances at maintaining his position as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
In a stunning turn of events, the top aide to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned after an uproar over the appointment of former Labour Party stalwart Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The move comes amid mounting evidence that Mandelson had a close relationship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Morgan McSweeney, 48, cited "careful reflection" before announcing his decision to leave the government, stating that Starmer's appointment of Mandelson was "wrong." He attributed the damage caused by the move to both the party and the nation. Furthermore, McSweeney confessed to having advised the Prime Minister on the appointment.
Labour MPs had previously called for McSweeney's resignation in light of the revelations about Mandelson's ties to Epstein. In recent weeks, documents released from the US Department of Justice have shed further light on their relationship, including an exchange that allegedly involved confidential UK government information during a major financial crisis in 2008.
Mandelson had only held his new position for seven months before being sacked by Starmer over his friendship with Epstein. Following his dismissal, Mandelson also quit the Labour Party and House of Lords due to public pressure and controversy surrounding his personal connections to the convicted sex offender.
The revelation about Mandelson's severance package has sparked a review into the payment made to him after he was fired from his position. An exit payment of between $52,000 and $74,000 is believed to have been paid out to him following only seven months on the job, according to reports published by the Sunday Times.
It is unclear how this scandal will affect Starmer's chances at maintaining his position as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.