Keir Starmer has full confidence in his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, Downing Street confirmed today amid mounting calls for McSweeney's sacking following his ally Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
Starmer made a lengthy speech on community cohesion but was bombarded with questions about his leadership after one of his most turbulent days since entering Downing Street. He later apologised for appointing Mandelson, citing the financier's relationship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Prime Minister gave an apology speech yesterday afternoon, stating that he regretted appointing Mandelson in Washington given his relationship with the financier and convicted sex offender, about which he said the Labour peer had repeatedly lied. Starmer also said, "The victims of Epstein have lived with trauma that most of us could barely comprehend, and they have to relive it again and again," he said. "They have seen accountability delayed and too often denied to them."
However, the Prime Minister's official spokesperson has stated that Starmer has full confidence in his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney amid calls for his sacking.
Starmer is under pressure following the fallout from Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. He faces mounting calls from backbenchers and opposition parties to sack McSweeney over the role.
The government is also engaging with the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) about releasing documents related to Mandelson's appointment.
In a communication, the committee said it is up to the government to decide which of the documents, relating to the ambassadorial appointment, should not be published. The committee also stated that it expects the government to release most papers "very shortly" and that steps would be taken to ensure document release does not compromise the Met's investigation.
Labour pressure group Mainstream has called for a "total overhaul of personnel" in Downing Street amid the fallout from Mandelson's scandal.
Starmer made a lengthy speech on community cohesion but was bombarded with questions about his leadership after one of his most turbulent days since entering Downing Street. He later apologised for appointing Mandelson, citing the financier's relationship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Prime Minister gave an apology speech yesterday afternoon, stating that he regretted appointing Mandelson in Washington given his relationship with the financier and convicted sex offender, about which he said the Labour peer had repeatedly lied. Starmer also said, "The victims of Epstein have lived with trauma that most of us could barely comprehend, and they have to relive it again and again," he said. "They have seen accountability delayed and too often denied to them."
However, the Prime Minister's official spokesperson has stated that Starmer has full confidence in his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney amid calls for his sacking.
Starmer is under pressure following the fallout from Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. He faces mounting calls from backbenchers and opposition parties to sack McSweeney over the role.
The government is also engaging with the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) about releasing documents related to Mandelson's appointment.
In a communication, the committee said it is up to the government to decide which of the documents, relating to the ambassadorial appointment, should not be published. The committee also stated that it expects the government to release most papers "very shortly" and that steps would be taken to ensure document release does not compromise the Met's investigation.
Labour pressure group Mainstream has called for a "total overhaul of personnel" in Downing Street amid the fallout from Mandelson's scandal.
I'm so done with all these politics drama 
. First, Keir Starmer appoints Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, and now everyone's like "oh no, what have you done?!" 
. Like, come on, guys! You can't just sack McSweeney because of one bad apple (or in this case, Epstein) 
.
. He owned up to his mistake and showed some empathy towards the victims 
. But, seriously, how hard is it to vet someone before making them an ambassador? 
. We need more positivity and less drama in politics 
. Let's move forward and support our leaders in times of crisis 
!
, first he apologizes for appointing Mandelson and now they're saying McSweeney is good to go? 
it feels like he's just winging it. and let's be real, who thought Morgan McSweeney was a good choice in the first place? 
?
I think Starmer is learning this the hard way with Morgan McSweeney. All these calls to sack him might just be a signal that something fishy is going on and he needs some fresh eyes in Downing Street.
starmer is still reppin' mcsweeney despite all these controversies?! i mean, i get it, he apologized and all but come on, you gotta sack him too!! 
the way mcswenny was seen with mandelson at some party before his appointment as us ambassador is just sketchy 
it's like they're hiding something... idk, maybe i'm just a die hard labour fan 
but starmer needs to do better here 
And what's up with this whole 'victims' thing? I get why he was trying to sympathize, but it felt kinda... insincere 
Maybe they'll just whitewash everything? Ugh, politics 
The guy's got some serious baggage and now he's US ambassador? That's just wild. I'm not saying McSweeney is innocent or anything but come on, can't we get the truth out already? 
... like come on Starmer, you're trying to be all noble and stuff but this guy's been in the doghouse for days now. If Peter Mandelson's got baggage, McSweeney's gotta have some too... or else why would he stick around? 
I mean, I get it, backbenchers are calling for his sacking but Starmer's got to make a move here. Can't just let him sit there like a lemon while the party's reputation is taking a hit 
. Something's gotta give...
. Appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador was a big risk, and it's no wonder people are calling for McSweeney's sacking 
. It's one thing to apologize for the mistake, but it's another to keep someone on who might've been involved in or aware of Epstein's shady dealings 
. I'd love to see some more transparency from Starmer about what exactly is going on behind the scenes 
. The government needs to get their ducks in a row and figure out how they're gonna move forward without compromising the investigation 
.
I feel like Starmer is getting hit on all sides here... people are asking for McSweeney's head, but at the same time, he's saying he trusts him wholeheartedly? 
. It makes you wonder, is confidence in someone just a result of loyalty or trust? Shouldn't we be focusing on what went wrong instead of who's to blame? It's like, if you're going to make mistakes, own up to them and learn from them 
. Maybe McSweeney needs a chance to fix his mistakes before he gets sacked? The question is, does Starmer have the patience for that? 
. McSweeney is taking one for the team by sticking it out but come on, 2 scandals under his belt? 
. That's a pretty big chunk of his team saying he can't stay on 
. Labour needs to keep up the pressure and make sure these documents are released so we can see what really went down.
.
. Mainstream is right to call for a total overhaul of personnel in Downing Street - it's time for some serious change! 
