Jacqui Smith defends prime minister following resignation of Morgan McSweeney amid Mandelson scandal
Good morning. One of the staples of political journalism these days (for better or for worse) is the “how damaging?” question. With Westminster preoccupied with the question of how long Keir Starmer can last as prime minister following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, his chief of staff, yesterday in the light of the Peter Mandelson/Jeffrey Epstein scandal, here is a summary of how long other prime ministers were able to stay on after key advisers quit.
Margaret Thatcher stayed in office, after the resignation of Alan Walters, for one year and one month.
Tony Blair stayed in office, after the resignation of Alastair Campbell, for three years and 10 months.
Gordon Brown stayed in office, after the resignation of Damian McBride, for one year and one month.
