Morgan McSweeney was blamed by many Labour MPs for the disastrous decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
There has been a growing clamour from the backbenches for the chief of staff to fall on his sword and take the hit for his boss.
As the architect of Labour’s election win in July 2024, McSweeney was a protege of Mandelson, the Svengali of New Labour’s success. The two had worked closely together over many years – even during last September’s cabinet reshuffle.
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In his resignation letter, McSweeney was explicit that the decision to appoint Mandelson was wrong, and he had advised the PM to do it. “I take full responsibility for that advice,” he said.
But at the same time, he was also keen to highlight that he “did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process”, which has been blamed for failing to sufficiently highlight the ongoing friendship between Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein revealed in all its toxicity by the Epstein files this week.
No 10 will be hoping McSweeney’s sacrifice will be enough to satisfy the bloodlust of his furious backbenchers.
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But there are massive risks to scapegoating an advisor in this way.
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It looks like the PM doesn’t know his own mind – and doesn’t own his own decisions.
Ultimately, as even close Starmer ally Pat McFadden explained on Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “Prime ministers have to take responsibility for the decisions that they make… in the end, the loneliness of the top job is that you take responsibility for these decisions.”
Without McSweeney by his side, guiding him through the political minefield of Westminster, it’s even lonelier.
