British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's hold on power is increasingly tenuous as he attempts to retain the confidence of Labour Party members following disturbing disclosures about the relationship between Peter Mandelson, Starmer's appointee as the UK ambassador to the United States, and the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
On Sunday, Starmer lost his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who resigned taking full responsibility for advising the prime minister to appoint Mandelson. This departure is part of a growing erosion of support from Labour parliamentarians, triggered by the scandal.
Further signaling the deepening instability, Starmer's communications director, Tim Allan, announced his decision to resign on Monday, stating the need for a new team to be established in Downing Street.
While Downing Street has confirmed that the prime minister is not contemplating resignation and remains focused on his duties, emerging pressures within the party compound the challenge. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon where he is expected to demand Starmer's resignation, potentially prompting other senior figures to join calls for the prime minister to step down.
Starmer is scheduled to speak privately with Labour lawmakers on Monday evening, aiming to restore some of the diminished trust and authority he has suffered since the controversy began. Addressing his staff earlier in the day, he acknowledged the significant damage the Mandelson scandal has inflicted on public perceptions of politicians, emphasizing the need to demonstrate that politics can be a positive force.
The genesis of the current turmoil lies in Starmer's 2024 appointment of Peter Mandelson to Britain's principal diplomatic position in Washington. Starmer appointed Mandelson despite being aware of his association with Epstein. Mandelson was dismissed last September after email exchanges surfaced showing his continued friendship with Epstein even after Epstein's 2008 conviction related to sex offenses involving a minor.
Critics argue that Starmer should have exercised better judgment, as Mandelson, 72, has a history marred by controversies involving finances and ethics, making him a contentious figure.
A fresh release of Epstein-related files in the United States has unveiled more details about Mandleson's interactions with Epstein, escalating the pressures on the prime minister.
Starmer expressed regret last week, admitting he had been misled by Mandelson. He vowed to publish documents connected to Mandelson's appointment, which the government claims will prove that Mandelson deceived officials regarding his Epstein ties. However, release of these papers faces delays due to necessary national security reviews and ongoing police investigations.
Law enforcement authorities are currently probing Mandelson for possible misconduct in a public office role, investigating allegations that he conveyed sensitive government information to Epstein about 15 years ago. This offense, if proven, could result in a life sentence. To date, Mandelson has neither been arrested nor charged and faces no accusations of sexual misconduct.
Following McSweeney's resignation, some within Labour hope that removing him, regarded by some as divisive, may grant Starmer the opportunity to restore credibility and unity. Senior Labour parliamentarian Emily Thornberry has called on Starmer to demonstrate stronger leadership. Conversely, other sources perceive the chief of staff's departure as leaving Starmer both vulnerable and isolated.
Calls for Starmer’s resignation also come from opposition parties. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer's leadership, labeling his decisions as consistently poor and his position untenable.
Since ascending to power, Starmer's government has struggled to fulfil commitments for economic growth, public service improvements, and alleviating living costs. His promises to restore political integrity after prolonged Conservative rule have been undermined by policy missteps and reversals, notably over welfare reforms.
Opinion polling shows the Labour Party trailing behind the far-right Reform UK party, fueling speculation of an imminent leadership challenge even prior to the Epstein-linked controversy. Under the UK's parliamentary framework, such internal challenges or resignations could trigger Labour leadership elections, consequently deciding the next prime minister without a general election.
The Conservative Party's recent history includes three changes in prime minister between elections from 2019 to 2024, including Liz Truss's brief 49-day tenure. Starmer assumed leadership pledging to end such political turmoil, a promise put to a stern test.
Within Labour, debate continues over the best path forward. Lawmaker Clive Efford advised caution among Starmer's detractors, reminding that frequent leadership changes under previous Conservative governance did not yield positive outcomes.