Starmer latest: PM to face furious Labour MPs after McSweeney resignation as he battles to save premiership

Rachael Maskell told PA that Morgan McSweeney’s departure was “a start” but Keir Starmer now had to “move away from the factionalism” caused by his former aide.

The Labor MP told BBC Radio 4’s The Westminster Hour on Sunday: “Let’s listen very carefully over the coming days to see if Keir Starmer really understands how serious the situation is, what he needs to do to build the inclusive party.

“And if he can achieve that, if he sets the engagement agenda by building the confidence that he will address inequalities not just in his own party but across the country, then of course we’ll see where we get to.

“But if he can’t do that, if he doesn’t understand the seriousness of the situation, then I think it will be very difficult to continue.”

Meanwhile, Starmer ally John Slinger said people across the country were telling him “the last thing the country needs is leadership speculation and we need to support the prime minister”.

David Maddox, Political Editor of The Independent, reports:

The name Morgan McSweeney may not be on many people’s lips in pubs or at school gates, but it’s one that those in the Westminster bubble are obsessed with.

But now it has become the biggest scalp yet in the rapidly escalating scandal surrounding Peter Mandelson that threatens to rattle the prime minister too.

The departure of the man responsible for making Sir Keir leader of the Labor Party, the architect of its subsequent election victory and the central figure in running the government, reveals a weak prime minister in a very bad light.

Labor MPs were always aware of the power and importance of the former chief of staff in Downing Street; They considered this power to be a toxic poison at the heart of government, or a tool for future preference and promotion.

According to reports, the prime minister is expected to address Labor Party MPs at the meeting on Monday.

It follows the resignation of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, following a tumultuous week for the embattled leader.

He is also expected to make a statement on Monday afternoon about the Mandelson scandal and the departure of his chief aide Morgan McSweeney from the House of Commons.

Morgan McSweeney may have resigned, but some Labor MPs say they believe the prime minister should follow in his footsteps.

Labor MP Brian Leishman said: “There has to be a change in political direction and it’s coming from the top, so the Prime Minister needs to look at his own position and question one last time whether he should follow McSweeney’s lead and resign for the good of the country and the Labor Party.”

However, others supported the Prime Minister. Labor MP John Slinger rejected calls to follow MRMcSweeney out the door.

In a statement sent to

“Since I did that, voters have come up to me on the street and said they heard me on the radio and they totally agree. I’ve had CEOs of companies text me and say they agree.

“And we’ve had people all over the country, Labor or not, saying that the last thing the country needs is leadership speculation and they think we should support the prime minister.”

Sir Keir Starmer rushed to thank his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney after she tendered her resignation over the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.

The Prime Minister said: “It has been an honor to work with Morgan McSweeney for many years. He turned our party around from one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role in running our election campaign. Thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership we won an overwhelming majority and had the chance to change the country.”

“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and government, I have seen his commitment to Labor and our country every day. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude and I thank him for his service.”

Sir Keir Starmer starts the week with two new acting chiefs of staff following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney.

Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson have been named as Mr. McSweeney’s replacements, at least for now.

Ms Alakeson is responsible for policy and delivery and has led Downing Street’s external relations.

Before taking office in the Labor Party, he established relationships with the business world as the party’s director of external affairs.

The former deputy chairman of the Solution Foundation think tank, he served in the No 10 strategy unit and the Treasury during the last Labor government.

Ms Cuthbertson ran the Prime Minister’s diary and has been described as Sir Keir’s best keeper.

Having previously held similar roles for former Labor leaders Ed Miliband and Gordon Brown, she ran his office when he was leader of the opposition.

The prime minister’s private secretary, Morgan McSweeney, resigned on Sunday following anger over the government’s handling of the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.

Here is the full resignation letter:

“After careful consideration, I have decided to resign from the government.

“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. It damaged trust in our party, our country and politics.

“When asked, I recommended the Prime Minister make this appointment and I take full responsibility for that recommendation.

“Responsibility in public life must be assumed not only at the most appropriate time but also at the most important time. Under these circumstances, the only honorable behavior would be to step aside.”

“This has not been an easy decision. Much has been written and said about me over the years, but my motivations have always been simple: I have worked every day to elect and support a government that puts the lives of ordinary people first and leads us to a better future for our great country.

“Only a Labor government can do this.

“I leave proud of what we have achieved and saddened by my departure.

“But I have always believed that there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for a greater purpose. As I leave, I have two more thoughts:

“First and foremost, we need to remember the women and girls whose lives were destroyed by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for too long.

“Secondly, although I have not overseen the due diligence and review process, I believe that this process now needs to be fundamentally overhauled. This is not just a gesture, it is an assurance for the future.

“I continue to fully support the Prime Minister. He works every day to rebuild trust, restore standards, and serve the country. I will continue to support this mission to the best of my ability. It has been the honor of my life to serve.”

Lord Mandelson was sacked over his relationship with disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein, and anger in Westminster intensified after the publication of recent documents showing he leaked information to his friend while he was a government minister.

Independent reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane reports: