UK PM Faces Renewed Political Turbulence
Tim Allan, Starmer’s director of communications, stepped down Monday as controversy continued over the prime minister’s earlier decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to Washington despite Mandelson’s known associations with Epstein. Mandelson resigned from the diplomatic role last September and later relinquished his Labour Party membership and seat in the House of Lords following the release of additional Epstein-related documents last month.
In announcing his departure, Allan indicated that his resignation would allow the prime minister to assemble a refreshed leadership team. “I have decided to stand down to allow a new No10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success,” he said in a statement. Allan, who previously served as an adviser to former Prime Minister Tony Blair between 1992 and 1998, had taken up his Downing Street communications role last September.
Allan’s exit followed the resignation of Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who left his post a day earlier. McSweeney stated that he accepted “full responsibility” for recommending Mandelson’s appointment despite the controversy surrounding his past connections.
“After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government. The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country, and trust in politics itself,” McSweeney said.
Just days before the resignation, Starmer had publicly expressed his “full confidence” in McSweeney, resisting opposition calls to dismiss him. Following McSweeney’s departure, the prime minister thanked him for his service, saying both he and the Labour Party owe him “a debt of gratitude.” Starmer had earlier issued an apology to victims of Epstein in response to criticism over the Mandelson appointment.
Opposition parties have intensified pressure on Starmer, urging him to accept personal accountability for the controversy. Reform UK accused the government of creating “chaos” through its decisions, while the Scottish National Party called for the prime minister to step down.
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