Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has spoken out over the government’s controversial decision to hire Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US for the first time. He was today scrutinised by MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee over the ex-Labour peer’s appointment. McSweeney resigned from his senior role in February this year, taking full responsibility for encouraging the prime minister’s to hire Mandelson despite his known links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer’s premiership now hangs in the balance after the Guardian reported Mandelson had failed his security vetting – but was still hired as the government’s attache to Washington. Here’s what we learned from McSweeney’s lengthy evidence session. 1. McSweeney Calls Mandelson’s Appointment A ‘Serious Error Of Judgement’ In his opening remarks, McSweeney immediately took responsibility for supporting Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador, calling it “a serious error of judgment.” He said: “The prime minister advice relied on my advice and I got it wrong.” 2. McSweeney Insists He Did Not Try To ‘Push Anything Through’ The former senior aide …