Who is Morgan McSweeney? The powermaker who projected Keir Starmer into No10 and is despised by Labour backbenchers

Morgan McSweeney announced his resignation as Sir Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff on Sunday afternoon, following the Peter Mandelson scandal.

Mr McSweeney, who is said to hold immense influence over the direction of the Government and the country, was behind the heavily-criticised decision to appoint Mandelson as US ambassador in 2024, leading to this week's major fallout. But who really is Morgan McSweeney?

After moving to the UK from Ireland, spending time in Israel and studying marketing and politics at Middlesex University, Mr McSweeney joined the Labour Party in 1997.

He worked in the party's attack and rebuttal unit, before being dispatched to campaign for marginal seats during the 2005 General Election.

Shortly after Tony Blair was re-elected for the third time, Mr McSweeney worked under Steve Reed and gained a reputation for his organisation, and was later appointed Mr Reed's Chief of Staff in Lambeth Council.

Between 2008 and 2010, he grew his reputation further by aiding successful elections and developing communication strategies across 17 wards in Barking and Dagenham. He was branded as "the real unsung hero of the whole thing".

Later, in 2017, he sought to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in an attempt to reduce the left-wing influence of the party, before leading Sir Keir's succesful leadership campaign in 2020.

He then also ran the successful 2024 General Election campaign.

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