Sir Keir Starmer is clinging onto power by a thread after his worst week in Downing Street, as calls for him to quit over the Peter Mandelson scandal reached fever pitch
Sir Keir Starmer is clinging onto power by a thread as speculation he could face the chop reaches fever pitch.
The PM’s authority lies in tatters after his worst week in No 10 yet following the growing scandal about Peter Mandelson’s links to paedo financier Jeffrey Epstein. Sir Keir has frantically tried to spread the blame to Britain’s spies for his disastrous decision to make Mandelson US ambassador as he grovelled for his job.
He claimed MI5 and MI6 had failed to flag the “depth and darkness” of the ties between the two men. The PM painted himself as a victim of the New Labour architect’s “lies”, claiming he believed assurances he “barely knew” Epstein. This is despite a litany of reports already having exposed their relationship.
Scrambling to save his own political skin, Sir Keir stressed he “understands the anger and frustration” of MPs, urging them to “remain focused on what we were elected for”. He insisted that “none of us knew the depth of the darkness” of Mandelson’s relationship with the convicted sex offender when he was picked for the role.
But he vowed to continue as PM, insisting: “I was elected in on a mandate in 2024 to change the country for the better.”
Yet furious MPs are out for blood, with even usually sympathetic figures admitting the game could be up for him. Labour MPs are even claiming his problems are like “Chris Pincher on steroids” – a reference to the sexual misconduct allegations scandal that brought down Bozo Johnson.
Former deputy PM Angela Rayner led the backbench rebellion to give a committee the final say on what Mandy files are released. Speculation is growing that all it could take is a couple of ministers to quit, causing a tidal wave of resignations that could force him out of office.
Lord Hutton, who served under Gordon Brown alongside the “Prince of Darkness” Mandy, admitted it could “mark the end” of his time in Downing Street. There have also been calls by backbenchers for the sacking of Sir Keir’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
Many blame him for appointing his ally Mandelson to the ambassadorship. One Labour MP said WhatsApp chats among backbenchers that are usually animated have gone “eerily quiet” that suggests some could be plotting behind the scenes.
They said Mr McSweeney has “got to go” and they were “really disappointed” that he has not already been fired. Opposition parties have demanded a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told a Westminster press conference: “He will have to be dragged out of Number 10, so I am making them an offer. If they want the change they know the country needs, come and speak to my whips and let’s talk seriously about a vote of no confidence to force the moment.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Let’s have a confidence vote now to see whether Labour MPs have any confidence in the Prime Minister.”
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