Resignation of Macroom native as Starmer chief of staff 'regrettable', says Cork senator

A Cork senator has described as regrettable the events leading to the resignation of UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Macroom native Morgan McSweeney.

Mr McSweeney, a long-time advisor to Mr Starmer, quit his position as the PM’s closest aide on Sunday, amidst growing anger at his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States.

The Macroom man’s position had become increasingly untenable following the release of emails showing the extent of Mr Mandelson’s ongoing friendship with convicted child abuser and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement, Mr McSweeney said he took “full responsibility” for advising Mr Starmer to appoint Mr Mandelson, who had “damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself”.

“In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient ... In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside,” he said. 

Mr McSweeney, the son of Macroom-based accountant Tim McSweeney and his wife Carmel, has lived in the UK since he moved there in 1994 at the age of 17.

Macroom-based Fine Gael senator Eileen Lynch said Mr McSweeney had played a huge role in Mr Starmer’s ascension to the leadership of the British Labour Party, and the events leading to his resignation were regrettable.

Ms Lynch said while she did not know Mr McSweeney, she had great respect for his parents, and felt he could yet return to frontline politics.

“I think there’s always a way back in politics,” she said.

“But that’s politics. What is ultimately most important is to keep in mind the women and girls so horribly abused by Jeffrey Epstein.” 

Mr McSweeney’s resignation was followed on Monday by that of Downing St communications head Tim Allan. It remains to be seen whether the political pressure on Mr Starmer will abate.