By Michael O’farrell Published: 20:15 EDT, 12 October 2024 | Updated: 21:44 EDT, 12 October 2024
Sir Keir Starmer’s new chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is expected to use quiet diplomacy to quell the civil war sweeping Downing Street.It is not the first time, though, that the strategist’s peacekeeping skills have been put to the test.In 1996, the man now regarded as one of the UK’s most powerful political figures was a 19-year-old student in London, when, during a trip home to Macroom, near Cork, he visited a nightclub and was rounded on by three local youths.Mr McSweeney appears to have exercised restraint in the ensuing fracas. He went home with his face and shirt ‘covered in blood’.The next day, a court heard, his father Tim McSweeney, an accountant, confronted and attacked a youth he thought was involved, punching him on the side of the head, which he denied. Sir Keir Starmer ‘s new chief of staff Morgan McSweeney (pictured) is expected to use quiet diplomacy to quell the Downing Street civil war Having been director of the centrist think-tank Labour Together, Mr McSweeney ran Sir Keir’s successful leadership campaign in 2020 before becoming director of campaigns Pictured, Government Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney walks along Whitehall in Central London There were numerous briefings that Mr McSweeney was at the head of a ‘boys’ club’ inside No 10The judge, Brendan Wallace, said he was satisfied an assault had taken place, but he told Macroom District Court the victim ‘doesn’t strike me as a person who would come here and tell lies’.He fined Tim £10 for common assault, and a ‘civil decree’ of £250 plus costs was also awarded against him.Almost three decades on, Tim’s son last week replaced Sue Gray.It was seen as a victory for the ‘boys’ club’ within No 10. The 47-year-old Irishman has already been credited with transforming the Labour Party into an election-winning machine after the Corbyn era.Having been director of the centrist think-tank Labour Together, he ran Sir Keir’s successful leadership campaign in 2020 before becoming director of campaigns as he plotted the party’s rise to power this year.He was initially appointed head of political strategy in Downing Street in July, but soon clashed with Ms Gray, who was meant to have been delivering the programme for government.There were numerous briefings that he was at the head of a ‘boys’ club’ inside No 10, along with Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, with Ms Gray on the other side. Amid jostling for position between the sides, it was even reported that she had moved Mr McSweeney’s desk further away from the PM’s office.In Macroom, Mr McSweeney’s relatives were delighted at his elevation. His aunt Evelyn joked that she was waiting for her invitation to No 10 and said she would have to get a new hat. ‘I’m not at all surprised he got this job,’ she said.’As a young fella, he was always very focused. Once he got involved he was going to succeed.’
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Keir Starmer’s new Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney ‘left with his face and shirt ‘covered in blood’ following altercation outside a nightclub when he was 19′