Ex-Starmer Aide Admits Mistake Over Lord Mandelson Appointment

The PM’s former chief of staff has admitted making a “serious mistake”. Morgan McSweeney gave the advice to appoint Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. McSweeney resigned in February over the issue. He told MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee that he felt Mandelson’s experience as an EU trade envoy would help secure a US trade deal. However, fresh revelations later emerged about Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a convicted sex offender. McSweeney said it then “dawned” on him that he did not have the “full truth”.

No Shortcuts, He Says

McSweeney admitted No 10 wanted Mandelson in post “quickly”. However, he insisted officials were never asked to “skip steps”. In a rare public appearance, he also denied telling the Foreign Office that security checks “should be cleared at all costs”.

Vetting Controversy Continues

The appointment has dogged the prime minister for months. Anger reignited after it emerged that Mandelson received security clearance despite concerns from vetting officials. Sir Keir Starmer has said no one in Downing Street knew about this until recently.
MPs will vote later on whether to hold a parliamentary investigation. The claim is that Starmer misled the House of Commons over Mandelson’s vetting.