Monday's papers are dominated by news of the resignation of the prime minister's chief of staff. Morgan McSweeney said he did not oversee the vetting process for Lord Mandelson but wanted to take "full responsibility" for advising Sir Keir Starmer to appoint him, despite the peer's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein being publicly known about at the time. The Times says Sir Keir has "sacrificed his closest political ally" to "appease Labour MPs and save his premiership". The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately.
McSweeney's resignation comes after police launched an investigation into Lord Mandelson over alleged misconduct in a public office. Emails released as part of the Epstein files suggest the peer leaked sensitive government information to Epstein whilst a minister in the last Labour government. The BBC understands that Lord Mandelson's position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain. The Daily Telegraph writes that Sir Keir will "try to draw a line under the scandal" by meeting Labour MPs on Monday. But columnist Tim Stanley warns that the PM "must realise the scandal is all on him".
"Blame me" is the Daily Mirror's headline, referring to McSweeney's statement. But the paper notes that this is a "Labour leadership crisis", with pressure still on the prime minister despite his top aide's resignation. McSweeney had been "widely credited with propelling the PM into Downing Street" but was also a "divisive figure among backbench MPs", the Mirror says.
Metro describes the prime minister as "weakened", reporting that his allies "fear fresh challenges" to his leadership.
The Independent credits McSweeney with having "masterminded" Labour's 2024 general election victory. His resignation "leaves the PM without his strategic right-hand man" and is being perceived as a "damage limitation exercise to protect the prime minister", it says.
"Operation save Starmer" is the i newspaper's take, writing that McSweeney was "forced out to buy PM time".
"So how long can Starmer cling on?" asks the Daily Mail. The paper carries comments from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused the prime minister on social media of "never" taking responsibility for his "terrible decisions".
The Daily Express asks whether Sir Keir's days are numbered, ahead of his expected "showdown" with Labour MPs on Monday.
The Guardian also carries the story on its front page. In other political news, the paper reports that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been accused of "pulling up the drawbridge" on refugees from Labour peer Lord Dubs. Mahmood says more safe and legal routes for refugees will be opened once order and control have been restored to the UK borders, the paper writes.
The Sun describes Sir Keir's premiership as "in freefall". But its lead story is on reports Andrew Mounbatten-Windsor shared confidential information with Epstein from his official work as trade envoy in 2010 and 2011. The former head of royal protection tells the paper "if he has divulged information of national importance, that must be investigated as a criminal act." Andrew has been contacted for comment by the BBC but is yet to respond.
The Financial Times describes McSweeney as a "political protégé of Mandelson's" and says the prime minister is "looking isolated and vulnerable".
And the Daily Star heralds "Madge's material goals", as singer Madonna graced the touchline of her daughters' game for Tottenham's academy.
BBC
