Morgan McSweeney quits over Mandelson-Epstein scandal

Plus: Top Russian general was shot outside his Moscow apartment

Monday, February 9, 2026 Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.   Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has resigned over the Mandelson-Epstein scandal, Top Russian general reportedly behind Salisbury poisonings was shot outside his Moscow apartment, and American ski legend Lindsey Vonn has undergone surgery after crashing out of the Winter Olympics. Top stories 1 | Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's Downing Street chief of staff over Mandelson scandal Read more 2 | Top Russian general reportedly behind Salisbury poisonings shot in assassination bid in Moscow Read more 3 | 'It's a travesty': Calls to free frail Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai from jail before it's too late Read more 4 | Ski legend Vonn undergoes surgery on leg fracture after horror downhill crash Read more 5 | Japan PM Sanae Takaichi set to secure big majority in snap election Read more Editors' picks Why the days of student loans could be numbered I have the same health condition as Trump. Here's what to know Lord of the Flies: The perfect chilling book for Adolescence's Jack Thorne to televise Your Views Your Views Readers slam 'old boys' club' over Mandelson appointment As well as being a woman, Pierce is also a Dame – so her accomplishments and talents have clearly been very publicly spotted and acknowledged. She should be reinstated because she was good at her job, and for no other reason.   SteerCalmer Get involved and share your views here. Don't forget to complete your registration You haven't completed your registration with The Independent. It's free, quick, and helps support our journalism while tailoring your experience. Register now to enjoy benefits including access to limited Premium articles, The Independent app, more than 20 newsletters and commenting on independent.co.uk. Complete your registration today to unlock access. WATCH  Reform UK councillor quits party during live interview STAT OF THE DAY 1,129  The number of bodies in Gaza that remain unidentified, according to Gaza's forensic evidence department. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY "Firstly, and most importantly, we must remember the women and girls whose lives were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for far too long." Morgan McSweeney gave an impassioned plea to remember Epstein's victims as he handed in his resignation as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff. Read more Other stories you might like What do 16 year olds really think about a social media ban? AI fakes are spreading like wildfire - how can we tell what is real? Taylor Swift's obsession with self-mythologising makes for boring art Sainsbury's Valentine's Day meal deal is just £18 for two. Score a Hoover robot vacuum deal with code "HG2-170". Join the conversation and follow us Download our apps: Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy policy and cookie policy