As the Lord Mandelson scandal deepens further, the Prime Minister is coming under growing pressure to lose one of his most trusted advisors amid growing backlash from his own MPs
Pressure is mounting on Sir Keir Starmer to sack his most senior adviser amid the growing Peter Mandelson scandal. Labour MPs have issued calls for the PM to dismiss his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, whom they blame for Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
His appointment to the senior diplomatic role came despite the peer’s links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Backbencher Simon Opher called for a “clear out at Number 10”, saying “If my chief of staff had done this, I think he would be looking for another job.”
Others calling for Mr McSweeney’s departure include veteran MP Clive Efford and Southport’s Patrick Hurley. Labour’s former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman, warned Sir Keir his premiership could be finished if he does not take the right course of action.
She said: “He’s got to stop blaming Mandelson and saying, ‘he lied to me’. Because actually he should never have been considering him in the first place.
“And to say ‘he lied to me’ makes it look weak and naive and gullible. So it’s just completely the wrong thing.”
Karl Turner, the Hull East MP, said Mr McSweeney staying would leave the prime minister’s position “untenable”. Dozens of MPs — including 22 from Labour — backed a call from Labour left winger Nadia Whittome for a full public inquiry into links between Epstein and establishment figures.
Senior government figures are preparing to hand over tranches of emails with Mandelson ahead of the release of evidence about his appointment as US ambassador. Sources warn the disclosure of private messages could drag more public figures into the scandal.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman has said Sir Keir retains “full confidence” in Mr McSweeney. The Metropolitan Police is searching two addresses as part of their investigation into Lord Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart, of the Metropolitan Police, said the searches are taking place in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. “The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man,” she said.
“He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.” The searches come as the Met investigates the peer over allegations relating to files appearing to show him sharing government information with Epstein during the financial crash.
Lord Mandelson has yet to publicly comment on the new allegations being made against him, but has already given up his position within the House of Lords. He had previously stated that he wished he had never trusted Epstein and had been “drawn in” by his lies.
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