Morgan McSweeney, the former chief of staff to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has broken his silence over allegations surrounding his conduct, stating that he does not recognize the descriptions of his behavior that have appeared in the media. Speaking at a security conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, McSweeney described it as "strange reading about a character with the same name as mine sometimes."
The remarks come as McSweeney prepares to testify before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week regarding his role in the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador. McSweeney expressed regret over advising the Prime Minister to appoint Mandelson but declined to comment further ahead of the parliamentary hearing.
McSweeney's resignation in February followed controversy over security clearance for Mandelson, who was ultimately sacked in September amid revelations about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Former senior Foreign Office official Sir Olly Robbins recently accused No 10 of a "dismissive" attitude toward the vetting process—a charge Downing Street has denied.
During the forum, McSweeney was asked whether he pressured civil servants to expedite Mandelson's vetting. He responded, "I don't recognize that description of me. I'm not going to say too much right now, I'm seeing the MPs next week and I don't want to in any way disrespect their process." He added that he takes responsibility for his advice and resignation, stating, "I think it's right to take responsibility when you get the call wrong."
McSweeney, once seen as an electoral mastermind who helped Starmer rise to power, had become a polarizing figure within Labour, with many MPs calling for his removal. Critics often linked him to a perceived "boys' club" culture in No 10.