Labour’s former Deputy Leader, Tom Watson, has cautioned that Morgan McSweeney, ex-chief aide to Keir Starmer, should consider legal representation before appearing before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee next week. Watson expressed fears that McSweeney might not receive a fair hearing during the upcoming session.
McSweeney resigned abruptly in February, taking full responsibility for advising the Prime Minister to appoint Lord Mandelson as the US ambassador, amidst the controversy surrounding Mandelson’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Watson criticized committee chair Emily Thornberry for what he perceived as bias, suggesting that McSweeney could face reputational risks without adequate legal support.
Moreover, Watson defended Starmer against accusations of dishonesty regarding the appointment, emphasizing the need for better risk assessment in political decisions. He urged Labour MPs to unite and concentrate on party campaigning efforts.
A former senior government official downplayed the impact of the Mandelson scandal on the Prime Minister, highlighting other pressing national and international issues. Thornberry declined to respond to Watson’s remarks on the matter.