UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is under growing scrutiny following revelations about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the country’s ambassador to the US, after emails emerged showing Mandelson’s ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Government ministers are preparing to release their electronic communications with Mandelson, which include messages exchanged with officials and special advisers during his tenure. The total number of documents could approach 100,000, BBC sources said, and the full disclosure may take several months.
The controversy has prompted calls from several Labour MPs for Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, to resign. MP Neil Duncan-Jordan called for “a clear out of No 10” to restore public confidence. Starmer has publicly apologised to Epstein’s victims for having believed Mandelson’s statements during the vetting process in 2024, describing Mandelson as having misrepresented his relationship with Epstein.
Opposition parties, including the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, have questioned the vetting of other Labour peers, highlighting the December appointment of Matthew Doyle to the House of Lords despite his past links to a convicted child offender. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch urged Starmer to publish all vetting advice related to Doyle and apologise for what she called “another profound error of judgement.”
Labour MPs remain divided over Starmer’s future. Some have called for his resignation, while others believe the anger is primarily directed at Mandelson. Former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman described the PM as “weak and naive” for relying on Mandelson’s assurances.
Starmer’s advisers have defended the government’s handling of the situation, with Home Office minister Mike Tapp praising the PM for “owning mistakes” and prioritising transparency. Meanwhile, a motion calling for an independent inquiry into the links between British public figures and Epstein has been supported by 35 MPs from six parties.
Potential successors to Starmer, according to Labour sources, include Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. However, concerns over their own political vulnerabilities could complicate any leadership change.
The release of Mandelson-related documents and upcoming local elections are expected to intensify scrutiny of Starmer’s leadership, with MPs closely monitoring public sentiment and potential political fallout.
With inputs from BBC