As Morgan McSweeney gives evidence on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, who is his wife?

Morgan McSweeney is at the time of writing, giving evidence on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff is being questioned by the foreign affairs committee. In February of this year, Morgan McSweeney quit his role as chief of staff amid the Mandelson row.

In his resignation statement, Morgan McSweeney said: "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. When asked, I advised the prime minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice. In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.

“This has not been an easy decision. Much has been written and said about me over the years but my motivations have always been simple: I have worked every day to elect and support a government that puts the lives of ordinary people first and leads us to a better future for our great country. Only a Labour will do that.

“I leave with pride in all we have achieved mixed with regret at the circumstances of my departure. But I have always believed there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for the bigger cause.

“As I leave I have two further reflections: firstly, and most importantly, we must remember the women and girls whose lives were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for far too long. Secondly, while I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled. This cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard for the future.

“I remain fully supportive of the prime minister. He is working every day to rebuild trust, restore standards and serve the country. I will continue to back that mission in whatever way I can. It has been the honour of my life to serve.”

In February 2026, in a letter to Labour’s general secretary, Peter Mandelson said: “I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furore surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and I feel regretful and sorry about this.

“Allegations which I believe to be false that he made financial payments to me 20 years ago, and of which I have no record or recollection, need investigating by me.

“While doing this, I do not wish to cause further embarrassment to the Labour Party and I am therefore stepping down from membership of the party.

“I want to take this opportunity to repeat my apology to the women and girls whose voices should have been heard long before now.

“I have dedicated my life to the values and success of the Labour Party and in taking my decision, I believe I am acting in its best interests.”

Morgan McSweeney has told the Foreign affairs committee regarding Peter Mandelson that “He was a confidant for me. I didn’t regard him as my mentor.

“I first had a conversation with Peter Mandelson in 2017. I don’t think I really started to go to him for advice until about 2021, and I was 44 years of age then, so I didn’t regard him at all as a mentor.

“I got advice from him, and it was useful, but I also had other people around who were perhaps a bit more shy with the media, who I saw too for advice. I was working with… we brought in some extremely experienced people from the Blair administration.

“So Liz Lloyd came into our team, Jonathan Powell came into our team, and I would certainly ask both of those for advice about how things work as well. So I asked a range of people for advice and help. I don’t regard Mandelson as ever being a mentor, but certainly as an adviser.”

Morgan McSweeney is married to Imogen Walker, Labour MP for Hamilton and Clyde Valley. Before working in politics, she acted in TV roles such as Taggart and Doctors. The couple share a son together.