Keir Starmer’s former chief of workers made the startling declare as he was grilled by MPs over the scandal
Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer (Picture: Getty)
Keir Starmer’s former chief aide has sparked incredulity after blaming Brexit for the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Morgan McSweeney claimed that the Labour grandee was the only option as a result of Britain was “uncovered” on commerce after leaving the EU and with Donald Trump within the White Home.
Mr McSweeney took up his key function in No 10 in October 2024 – one month earlier than Mr Trump defeated Kamala Harris within the US election. Mandelson’s appointment was formally introduced in December that 12 months.
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Learn extra: PM’s former prime aide blames Brexit for Mandelson fiasco
Morgan McSweeney (Picture: PRU/AFP through Getty Photos)
Showing earlier than the Commons international affairs committee, Mr McSweeney was requested in regards to the decision-making behind who was the fitting particular person to switch the prevailing ambassador, Dame Karen Pierce.
Catherine Ashton, Valerie Amos, Richard Moore, George Osborne, Barbara Woodward and David Miliband have been all reported to be within the working, earlier than Mandelson was chosen.
Mr McSweeney stated: “The rationale why I believed he was the fitting alternative is as a result of Britain was uncovered after Brexit, we left the European Union with none US commerce deal.
“And for me, truthfully, this was the highest precedence of the Prime Minister, was to get a US commerce take care of the People.
“And I believed that, primarily based on Mandelson’s expertise as an EU commerce commissioner, that made him the strongest candidate.
“However like everyone else, I made clear to the Prime Minister, there was execs and cons, and there was dangers. I don’t assume the Prime Minister would have chosen Mandelson if Kamala Harris had been elected president.”
Mark Francois (Picture: -)
Shadow Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, stated: “What an unimaginable irony! Morgan McSweeney, who used to work for Mandelson and who lobbied his boss, the PM, to nominate him, now tries to someway blame Brexit for the Mandelson catastrophe as an alternative!
“We’ll see whether or not the general public imagine him – and his former boss – over Mandelson, within the elections, barely per week from at the moment.”
Earlier Mr McSweeney apologised for his function within the scandal, saying the Prime Minister had relied on his recommendation and “I bought it incorrect”.
He pressured he had not tried to sidestep the vetting course of for the US ambassador job.
The dramatic feedback got here hours earlier than Sir Keir faces a make-or-break showdown within the Commons over whether or not he misled MPs.
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