• Keir Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigns over Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
• McSweeney cited Mandelson's past ties to Jeffrey Epstein as damaging to the Labour Party and public trust.
• The resignation follows new evidence indicating Mandelson shared sensitive information with Epstein.

Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has resigned amid escalating turmoil over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the United States, which is seen as a significant crisis in Starmer's leadership. McSweeney acknowledged that Mandelson's ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein have severely harmed the Labour Party's reputation and public trust in politics. "The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself," McSweeney stated, taking full responsibility for advising Starmer on the matter, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The fallout stems from newly published documents suggesting that Mandelson, while serving as the UK's business secretary during the 2008 financial crisis, leaked sensitive information to Epstein. Starmer is now under scrutiny for his judgment, with critics questioning why he appointed Mandelson, a figure already embroiled in controversy. The Metropolitan Police has initiated a complex investigation into Mandelson's alleged misconduct, following recent developments about his relationship with Epstein and has searched properties linked to him, according to CBS News and NPR.

Starmer himself remarked on the situation, stating, "I regret appointing him," and referred to the extensive damage to both the party and public confidence in government. Documents published by the U.S. Justice Department have intensified concerns about Mandelson's past associations, leading to further calls for accountability regarding Starmer's leadership decisions. "Keir Starmer has to take responsibility for his own terrible decisions," declared Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, highlighting the political stakes involved, according to India Times and Le Monde.