Morgan McSweeney Criticizes Mandelson Over Epstein Links
The UK Foreign Office chief informed Parliament that the Prime Minister's office took a dismissive approach toward the security vetting of Lord Peter Mandelson. Barton described the impact of the situation as a "knife through my soul" upon seeing related reports in September 2025. Members of Parliament from the governing Labour Party have expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's appointment of Peter Mandelson as the British Ambassador to Washington. The criticism comes amid broader dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister's leadership among Labour lawmakers. The source stated that many MPs believe the Prime Minister is performing poorly. Former Foreign Office head Philip Barton stated he was instructed to proceed with the appointment. McSweeney stated he wrongly assumed Mandelson was telling the truth about those connections.
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Sources · 7 independent
“The chief of the UK's Foreign Office has told the country's parliament that the Prime Minister's team had a dismissive approach to the security vetting of Lord Peter Mandelson”
“The Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley called the So powerful. It is such an opportunity to make communities safer.”
“Sir Keir Starmer's former Chief of Staff has told MPs he made a serious mistake advising the Prime Minister to appoint Peter Mandelson. Morgan McSweeney is giving evidence about how Lord Mandelson became ambassador to the US last year.”
“also admitted being part of a terrorist organisation after prosecution. BBC News. BBC News.”
“The appointment of Mandelson as ambassador was a serious error of judgement. I advised the Prime Minister in support of that appointment and I was wrong to do so.”
“Sir Philip Barton, he's the guy that used to have the job before Olly Robbins took over, he told MPs there was no way for him to raise concerns about Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador.”
“I resigned because I believe responsibility should rest with those who make serious mistakes. The Prime Minister relied on my advice and I got it wrong.”
“Morgan McSweeney, who was Kirstarmer's chief of staff until he resigned over the Lord Mandelson scandal, says he made a serious mistake in advising the Prime Minister to appoint him”
“Sir Philip Barton, who was permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office at the time of Lord Mandelson's appointment, told them he hadn't been consulted by number 10 about Peter Mandelson's suitability.”
“Sir Philip Barton, who was permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office at the time of Lord Mandelson's appointment... told them he hadn't been consulted by number 10 about Peter Mandelson's suitability, but... he did have concerns over how his connection to Jeffrey Epstein might play out.”
“MPs from the governing Labour Party think that their Prime Minister made an absolutely terrible mistake in appointing Peter Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to Washington.”
“Affairs Committee sessions this morning over the Peter Mandelson affair. First, there was Philip Barton, the former head of the Foreign Office, who said he was told to get on with the appointment of Lord Mandelson.”
“Sikir Starmer's former top adviser has told MPs Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador was a serious error, but he denies pressuring officials to install him quickly.”
“McSweeney also claimed he wasn't aware of the full extent of Mandelson's dealings with the convicted sex offender. understood it at the time was a passing acquaintance that he had regretted having”
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