No 10 defies calls to sack Morgan McSweeney over Mandelson appointment

Amid warnings McSweeney's survival would leave his position untenable', PM apologises to Epstein's victims for appointing Mandelson as US ambassador

Downing Street has defied calls to remove Keir Starmer's most senior aide, insisting Morgan McSweeney retains the prime minister's confidence, as frustration grows over a wait for documents on Peter Mandelson, which some fear could last for weeks.

Amid warnings from Labour backbenchers that McSweeney's survival would leave Starmer's position untenable", Starmer apologised to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Mandelson, a close friend of the convicted child sex offender, as US ambassador.