Briefings yesterday that Starmer would address the nation today have been quickly rolled back. Post-Morgan grid off to a rickety start…
Guido hears top-level discussions in Downing Street on Saturday with regard to the PM’s recovery plan included a Monday speech from Starmer after McSweeney’s resignation which would address the steps the government was taking to address reforms to the system to increase transparency and improve vetting, along with fielding questions from the press. This was dutifully briefed to hacks the next day…
That has been cancelled now and Starmer’s only hurdle is a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party later tonight. Many of whom are still out for blood…
Ex-media tycoon and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court on national security charges. Just nine days after Keir Starmer flew his travelling circus and half the Lobby around China, only to return with… a whisky deal.
When asked about securing Lai’s freedom during that trip, Starmer insisted he would “raise the issues that need to be raised” with Xi, and that “part of the reason for engaging with China is so that issues where we disagree can be discussed”. Lai received the harshest sentence possible under Hong Kong (Beijing-imposed) law…
Yvette Cooper this morning vowed to “rapidly engage further” with China on Lai’s case:
“I again call on the Hong Kong authorities to end his appalling ordeal and release him on humanitarian grounds, so that he may be reunited with his family. We stand with the people of Hong Kong.”
Were all those air miles worth it?
Morgan McSweeney has resigned as Starmer’s Chief of Staff over the Mandelson scandal. He issued the following statement:
“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 government 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.”
Mor-gone…
UPDATE: Starmer responds:
“It’s been an honour working with Morgan McSweeney for many years. He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country.
Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”
Starmer loyalist and Housing Secretary Steve Reed told Sky News that Starmer should not be replaced:
“We saw what the Tories did. They were in power for 14 years, and after 2016, I think we had nine education secretaries, seven chancellors, and five Prime Ministers. Doomscrolling through Prime Ministers doesn’t resolve the problem.”
