The political storm surrounding British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached a fever pitch on Monday, as calls for his resignation intensified over his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador despite his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Labour leader, however, remained resolute, vowing to remain in office and asserting his strength during a closed-door meeting with government ministers.
Starmer’s leadership appeared at risk after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar led the charge for his resignation, claiming that Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson—given his connections to Epstein—was a severe lapse in judgment. On Monday, Sarwar demanded Starmer step down, citing the political fallout from the scandal that had marred Labour’s image. The move appeared to trigger a crisis in the Labour ranks, with Starmer’s position under intense scrutiny.
However, the situation quickly shifted when Labour’s senior figures and ministers rallied behind the embattled leader. In a show of solidarity, Starmer was able to quash the momentum of the internal rebellion. According to Downing Street, Starmer thanked his political cabinet for their support and told them, “We are strong and united.”
Starmer’s public statements on Tuesday reflected his determination to persevere. In a visit to a public engagement, Starmer struck back at critics who suggested the Labour Party should be embroiled in self-inflicted strife. “I say to them, I will never walk away from the mandate I was given to change this country,” he asserted, underscoring his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities as Prime Minister.
The controversy surrounding Mandelson’s appointment has escalated into the most severe political crisis of Starmer’s leadership, raising important questions about his judgment and leadership capabilities. The scandal has fueled discontent within Labour ranks, particularly among MPs already dissatisfied with the party’s dwindling support in public opinion. With local elections just months away, and the hard-right Reform UK party on the rise, the stakes have grown higher for Starmer’s leadership.
In addition to the internal turmoil, Starmer has also been battered by several policy U-turns and leadership reshuffles, which have further dented his credibility. The most recent of these was the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief strategist, who played a pivotal role in shifting Labour to the center-left after Starmer succeeded Jeremy Corbyn in 2020. McSweeney’s resignation followed his advice to appoint Mandelson as US ambassador, a decision that has now come under severe scrutiny.
On Monday, Starmer’s communications chief Tim Allan resigned as well, marking the second senior resignation in less than 48 hours. While these resignations signal internal discontent, a coordinated show of support emerged from other senior Labour figures. Prominent politicians, including Angela Rayner and Shabana Mahmood, have publicly pledged their allegiance to Starmer, providing some measure of stability in the face of mounting pressure. Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan and regional mayor Andy Burnham also expressed their backing for Starmer, although Burnham’s support is likely motivated by his own political ambitions.
Despite these demonstrations of unity, Starmer has continued to face questions regarding his decision-making and leadership style. One of the main points of contention has been his continued association with Mandelson, who was appointed US ambassador despite his close ties to Epstein. The Labour veteran’s relationship with Epstein has become the focal point of the crisis, and the release of documents by the US government in late January further revealed that Mandelson may have leaked confidential UK government information to Epstein during his time as a British minister.
The scandal surrounding Mandelson has prompted a police investigation into potential misconduct in public office. Authorities have raided two of Mandelson’s properties, although he has not been arrested. Starmer has publicly apologized to Epstein’s victims and has accused Mandelson of lying about the extent of his connections to Epstein during the vetting process for his Washington appointment.
The ongoing investigation and the release of tens of thousands of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment could further increase the pressure on Starmer and his administration. The contents of these documents, which are expected to include emails, messages, and other communications, are set to be released by the government and could add fuel to the already raging political fire.
At present, there is no clear successor to Starmer within the Labour Party, and internal party rules make it difficult to challenge his leadership. Despite the drama and resignations, Starmer has so far weathered the storm, but the coming months will prove pivotal. The February 26 by-election and local elections in May will likely play a significant role in determining how long Starmer remains at the helm.
