The Epstein-Mandelson scandal hits Starmer: his right-hand man goes. Ambassador resigns in Norway
Pressure and criticism over Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador prompted McSweeney to quit, taking responsibility for the appointment
Key points
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday, 8 February, that an important ambassador, Mona Juul, will resign due to a 'serious lack of judgement' over links to Jeffrey Epstein, part of a growing scandal in the Nordic country and across Europe.
Earlier this week the ministry suspended Juul from her post as ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, pending an internal investigation into links to Epstein found in a large set of documents made public by the US government.
"Juul's contacts with convicted sex offender Epstein showed a serious lack of judgement. "This case makes it difficult to rebuild the trust this role requires," Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a note.Juul, 66, a former government undersecretary, previously represented Norway as ambassador to Israel, Great Britain and the United Nations.
McSweeney resigns from Starmer government over Mandelson appointment
British PM Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has resigned following pressure over the Mandelson case. This was reported by Sky News. McSweeney was widely cited as the one who had pushed for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Following the latest developments in connection with the 'Epstein files' criticism of Starmer and his judgement on Mandelson's appointment to the highest diplomatic post has mounted. According to rumours and press reconstructions in the UK, McSweeney, a friend of Mandelson, apparently insisted that he should get the post.
