Keir Starmer breaks silence on Morgan McSweeney resignation | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer thanked Morgan McSweeney for “his dedication, loyalty and leadership” as he reacted to his right-hand man’s resignation. Mr McSweeney has stop because the Prime Minister’s chief of employees after coming beneath fireplace over the Lord Mandelson scandal.

In a press release, Sir Keir credited his shut ally for Labour’s 2024 normal election win and as he expressed a “debt of gratitude” to him. He mentioned: “It’s been an honour working with Morgan McSweeney for many years.

“He turned our occasion round after considered one of its worst ever defeats and performed a central position operating our election marketing campaign.

“It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country.

“Having labored carefully with Morgan in opposition and in authorities, I’ve seen every single day his dedication to the Labour Party and to our nation. Our occasion and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”

In his exit statement, Mr McSweeney said the decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador was “fallacious” and that he took “full duty” for advising Sir Keir to go ahead.

The peer was sacked last year over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein but is facing fresh scrutiny after the latest release of documents showed he leaked information to the billionaire paedophile while he was a government minister.

Mr McSweeney said: “After cautious reflection, I’ve determined to resign from the Government. The determination to nominate Peter Mandelson was fallacious. He has broken our occasion, our nation and belief in politics itself.

“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice. In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.

“This has not been a straightforward determination. Much has been written and mentioned about me over time however my motivations have all the time been easy: I’ve labored every single day to elect and assist a authorities that places the lives of strange individuals first and leads us to a greater future for our nice nation. Only a Labour authorities will do this.

“I leave with pride in all we have achieved mixed with regret at the circumstances of my departure. But I have always believed there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for the bigger cause.

“As I depart I’ve two additional reflections: Firstly, and most significantly, we should bear in mind the ladies and ladies whose lives had been ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for much too lengthy.

“Secondly, while I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled. This cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard for the future.

“I stay absolutely supportive of the Prime Minister. He is working every single day to rebuild belief, restore requirements and serve the nation. I’ll proceed to again that mission in no matter manner I can. It has been the honour of my life to serve.”