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Sky News ground to a halt to bring breaking coverage of Keir Starmer's former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney testifying about Peter Mandelson's appointment as U.K. ambassador to the United States. He was addressing lawmakers on the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee when, in a huge blow to Starmer, he described the appointment as "a serious error of judgement".

"I've spent much of my working life trying, in whatever role I held, to make this country fairer, stronger and more successful," he continued. I have always believed public service is a privilege. It brings responsibility and scrutiny, but it also brings a meaningful chance to improve people's lives. That is what motivated me in government. The appointment of Mandelson as ambassador was a serious error of judgement," he said, admitting: "I advised the prime minister in support of that appointment, and I was wrong to do so."

"As I said in my resignation statement, I resigned because I believe responsibility should rest with those who make serious mistakes.

"Accountability in public life cannot apply only when it is convenient. The prime minister relied on my advice and I got it wrong," he said.

However he also indicated he had "made clear to the prime minister, there was pros and cons, and there was risks [to the appointment]."

His remarks came after it emerged the prime minister demanded the Labour grandee get the job even though top officials feared Mandelson's friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein made him the wrong choice.

The damning account of events was delivered by Sir Philip Barton, former chief civil servant in the Foreign Office, as he gave evidence to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.

"Before addressing the issue at hand he took a moment to reflect on the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, who was a friend of Mandelson's, and offer an apology.

"First, I want to say something about the victims and survivors connected to Jeffrey Epstein. Too often discussions of public figures and appointments can lose sight of the human suffering at the centre of these matters.

"Women and girls were abused, exploited and scarred. They deserved protection then and they deserve to be remembered now. I'm sorry for any part this controversy has played in causing further hurt or distressed," he said.