Prime Minister Keir Starmer fights to quell a leadership crisis over the Jeffrey Epstein-linked ambassador scandal, insisting his government remains united.
LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared his government “strong and united” on Tuesday, seeking to move past a spiralling political crisis triggered by the appointment of an ambassador with links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Labour leader’s position looked precarious a day earlier when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar demanded his resignation for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite knowing of his Epstein connections.
Any attempt at sparking a coup fizzled out when senior ministers launched a rearguard action to shore up Starmer’s support, quelling the likelihood of an immediate mutiny.
“The prime minister thanked the political cabinet for their support. He said they were strong and united,” Downing Street said in a readout of a meeting of government ministers.
During a public visit later, Starmer hit out at those suggesting Labour should have “a fight with itself”.
“I say to them, I will never walk away from the mandate I was given to change this country,” he added.
The fallout from Mandelson’s brief seven-month tenure in Washington has become the most serious crisis of Starmer’s 19-month rule, leading to questions about his judgement.
It has heightened anger among Labour MPs already disgruntled by the centre-left party trailing the hard-right Reform UK in opinion polls as local elections loom.
Starmer lost his second top aide in two days on Monday when communications chief Tim Allan quit just months into the role.
This followed the resignation on Sunday of Morgan McSweeney, the architect of Starmer’s political project, who had advised him to make the contentious Mandelson appointment.
Sarwar, facing difficult elections in Scotland in May, became the most senior Labour figure to call for Starmer to step down, saying the “distraction needs to end”.
In a coordinated show of support, senior Labour figures including potential leadership rivals Angela Rayner and Shabana Mahmood threw their backing behind Starmer.
Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan and regional mayor Andy Burnham, who is believed to covet the premiership, also added their support on Tuesday.
Starmer sacked Mandelson in September last year after US Congress documents revealed the extent of the Labour veteran’s relationship with Epstein following the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.
Documents released on January 30 appeared to show Mandelson leaked confidential UK government information to Epstein when he was a British minister, including during the 2008 financial crisis.
Police are investigating Mandelson, 72, for misconduct in public office and have raided two of his properties, though he has not been arrested.
Starmer has apologised to Epstein’s victims and accused Mandelson of lying about the extent of his ties during the vetting process for his Washington appointment.
The government is to release tens of thousands of emails, messages and documents on Mandelson’s appointment, which could increase pressure on the prime minister and other senior ministers.
No clear successor to Starmer has emerged and party rules make mounting a challenge difficult.
He faces a crucial by-election on February 26 before local elections in May, which could also influence how long he stays in office.