Morgan McSweeney Returns to Advising Prime Minister Keir Starmer Amid Leadership Turmoil

Former No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has returned to advise Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the administration faces a leadership challenge. He is on the phone with Starmer “24/7” and is modelling vote scenarios that could keep Starmer in power if three or more challengers emerge. A source claims he has re-entered No 10, a detail officials have dismissed as “rubbish.”

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McSweeney resigned in February 2024 after advising Starmer to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador, a move that sparked accusations of a “boys’ club” culture. In his resignation statement he said he took “full responsibility,” acknowledging that the decision “undermined trust in Labour, the country and politics itself,” making resignation the “honourable course.”

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Key figures are Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, former Defence Secretary John Healey, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, Labour minister Lord Peter Mandelson, and an unnamed MP who criticised McSweeney’s return.

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After McSweeney’s February resignation, he and Starmer met for a beer and kept intermittent contact. June 2026 sources reported daily calls, wargaming. Defence Secretary John Healey resigned on 5 June, and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns on 7 June. Burnham announced a bid for a seat and a leadership challenge. The G7 summit begins in France on 10 June; the Makerfield by-election is Thursday.

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Starmer told the BBC he does not want to “plunge” the country into the “chaos” of a leadership contest but said he will “fight” if one occurs. Whitehall officials downplayed frequency with McSweeney and called claims of his presence in No 10 unfounded. No spokesperson confirmed the schedule.

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Labour critics say McSweeney’s return reflects a refusal to address the “boys’ club” culture and drift. An MP warned, “If McSweeney is back, it just goes to show the PM has learned nothing.” Party ministers who called for his departure view his reinstatement as a setback for reform.

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• “He has been on the end of the phone 24/7,” — Government source

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• “He has been wargaming a leadership contest and believes Keir still has a chance if there are three or more [challengers] in the contest. He has been working out how the votes could go. It’s mad.” — Government source

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• “If McSweeney is back, it just goes to show the PM has learned nothing.” — MP

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McSweeney’s return fuels speculation of a leadership challenge, especially as Burnham prepares to re-enter Parliament. The G7 summit and the Makerfield by-election will test Starmer’s authority amid dissent. Observers note that a leadership outcome could reshape Labour’s policy direction and its prospects in next general election.

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