Morgan McSweeney sacked over Labour funding scandal

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Lord Mandelson’s former chief of staff has been removed from his position after revelations about his role in a 2015 Labour Party funding controversy resurfaced, sources close to Sir Keir Starmer confirmed.

Senior Labour figure dismissed over past funding row

The individual, identified as Morgan McSweeney, who served as chief of staff to Lord Mandelson during his time as Business Secretary, was effectively sacked following renewed scrutiny of his involvement in a cash-for-access scandal linked to industrialist Bernie Ecclestone.

Starmer expressed anger over lack of prior disclosure

Sir Keir Starmer is said to be absolutely furious that the connection was not disclosed earlier, according to multiple sources who worked in Downing Street during McSweeney’s tenure as his chief of staff.

Colleagues say McSweeney and Starmer’s chief of staff were unaware

Friends of Morgan McSweeney maintain he had no knowledge of the historical allegations when they emerged, while associates of the current prime minister’s chief of staff insist they were also uninformed about the matter at the time.

No10 sources deny prior awareness of the allegations

Several figures who served in No10 during the relevant period told BBC News they had no idea about the past controversy until it became public recently, contradicting suggestions of a cover-up or deliberate omission.

Funding row tied to Ecclestone donation and peerage scrutiny

The original controversy centered on a £1 million donation from Bernie Ecclestone to the Labour Party in 2015, which was later returned after questions arose about whether it influenced Lord Mandelson’s push for a Formula 1 tax exemption that year.

Rebirth of issue poses fresh challenge to Starmer’s leadership

The revival of the Mandelson-era scandal adds pressure on Sir Keir Starmer as he seeks to distance his leadership from past Labour controversies, particularly amid ongoing efforts to rebuild public trust in the party’s integrity and financial transparency.

Who was Morgan McSweeney and what was his role?

Morgan McSweeney served as chief of staff to Lord Mandelson when he was Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and later became Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff before being removed from that position.

What was the nature of the 2015 funding controversy?

The controversy involved a £1 million donation from Bernie Ecclestone to the Labour Party that was returned after concerns it may have been linked to Lord Mandelson’s advocacy for a tax exemption beneficial to Formula 1 teams.