BackMorgan McSweeney Defends His Record Amid Mandelson Vetting Controversy

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BBC UK News4/23/2026PoliticsUnited Kingdom

Morgan McSweeney Defends His Record Amid Mandelson Vetting Controversy

Former No 10 chief of staff speaks at Kyiv Security Forum, refuses to discuss details ahead of Foreign Affairs Committee evidence

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Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has spoken publicly for the first time about his resignation over the Lord Mandelson US ambassador appointment.
Speaking at the Kyiv Security Forum, he said he does not recognise media descriptions of his behaviour and expressed regret over advising the appointment.
He will give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee next week about allegations he pressured civil servants to speed up Mandelson's vetting.

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Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has spoken publicly for the first time about his resignation over the Lord Mandelson US ambassador appointment. Speaking at the Kyiv Security Forum, he said he does not recognise media descriptions of his behaviour and expressed regret over advising the appointment. He will give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee next week about allegations he pressured civil servants to speed up Mandelson's vetting.

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Morgan McSweeney Defends His Record Amid Mandelson Vetting Controversy

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