Tom Watson, the former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, has advised Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s ex-top aide, to seek legal counsel before appearing before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee next week. Watson expressed concerns about a potential lack of fairness in McSweeney’s hearing due to recent events surrounding Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the US ambassador and its ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Watson criticized the committee chair, Emily Thornberry, for her handling of recent hearings, suggesting she may have already formed biased opinions. He suggested that McSweeney faces reputational risks and may not receive a fair trial. Additionally, Watson defended Keir Starmer against accusations of lying, emphasizing the need for better assessment of political risks in decision-making.
Encouraging unity within the Labour Party, Watson urged MPs to focus on party campaigning efforts. Meanwhile, a former senior Government official downplayed the impact of the Mandelson scandal on the Prime Minister, highlighting other pressing issues on the political agenda. Thornberry declined to respond to Watson’s remarks.