A senior Conservative has warned that Keir Starmer is on course to throw his Chief of Staff “under a bus” in an effort to save his premiership after the Peter Mandelson scandal. Sir Keir’s top lieutenant, Morgan McSweeny, is facing huge pressure this morning amid allegations he was one of the most senior figures who pushed Lord Mandelson’s appointment and fought to keep him in the job earlier this week.
Fellow No. 10 advisers are sharpening their knives as they claim Mr McSweeney attempted to save Lord Mandelson’s career, despite most in the building believing he would have to go. Mr McSweeney was also personally warned that Lord Mandelson’s appointment as British ambassador to Washington would cause embarrassment in the United States. A source told Politico: “Everyone was like, this is looking really bad for the Prime Minister and Morgan was like, no, we need to defend him.”
This morning top Tory Alex Burghart warned that it’s very likely Mr McSweeney will be next for the chop.
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told Times Radio: “It’s an open secret in Westminster that this appointment was Morgan McSweeney’s idea.
“And it’s certainly the case that there are a number of Labour figures now briefing against Morgan McSweeney.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the prime minister threw him under a bus in order to try and save his own position.”
Lord Mandelson had a very close relationship with Sir Keir’s right-hand man, with the top Labour politician heaping praise on him publicly.
Lord Mandelson said: “I don’t know who and how and when he was invented, but whoever it was … They will find their place in heaven.”
He also lauded his “brainpower, political depth, strategic thinking and courage” and told the New Statesman that Mr McSweeney would “bring what is badly needed: a sense of project, political definition and scrupulous attention to good people, good policy and good presentation”.”
This morning the Tories are also calling on Lord Mandelson to be sacked from the House of Lords following his disgraced resignation as US Ambassador.
Mr Burghart argued: “This is the third time that Lord Mandelson has had to resign from public office because of inappropriate behaviour. I’m not sure that that’s the sort of person that we want to have in the House of Lords.”
“There are some procedures in place. And then I think that there are, in some instances, it’s just the decent thing to do.”
He demanded that Sir Keir come to the House of Commons “and answer for what he’s done” amid serious questions about his judgement.
This morning the former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, condemned the PM for “appalling judgment in appointing” Lord Mandelson.
Sir Richard argued: “Bear in mind that Mandelson’s a guy with an integrity problem – he had twice been removed from ministerial office! He has a dodgy background. Okay I’m not saying he isn’t a super talented guy, but he’s a guy with an integrity problem.”
