Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will “never walk away from the country I love” in a defiant hit back over leadership speculation and Labour infighting following the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.
The prime minister issued fighting words during a community visit in Hertfordshire, saying the “real fight is not in the Labour Party” but with right-wing politics.
“I will never walk away from the mandate I was given to change this country,” he told voters in an impassioned speech. “I will never walk away from the people that I’m charged with fighting for, and I will never walk away from the country that I love.”
It comes after ministers rallied around him after a dramatic 48 hours, in which Sir Keir lost his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and faced calls to resign from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
Earlier the Welsh Labour leader broke her silence to publicly back the prime minister, but added she had “concerns” Lord Peter Mandelson was “incompatible” for public office.
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Key Points
- Starmer back to work and due to chair cabinet meeting today
- PM hits out at Labour infighting saying he would 'never walk away from the country that I love'
- Labour faces 'Herculean task' to move on from Mandelson scandal, Miliband says
- Top civil servant to follow Allan and McSweeney and exit No 10
- Wes Streeting accused of orchestrating 'coup' against Starmer
PM insists he will lead Labour into next general election
15:59 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer said he would lead the Labour Party into the next general election.
Asked whether he would, the prime minister told broadcasters on a visit to Hertfordshire: “Yes,” adding that he had a “five-year mandate” to “deliver change”.
Publication of Mandelson messages must me 'managed process', PM says
15:53 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer said the release of messages with Lord Peter Mandelson must be a “managed process” and that his government should be “all acting together” after Wes Streeting published his own exchanges with the former ambassador.
The prime minister said text messages and information are being gathered, but warned ministers must be wary there is a “police element” to the process.
“So we need to do it in that managed way, so that the right information is released,” he said. “We need to be totally transparent. That’s what parliament wants.”
Asked if he had told Mr Streeting off after he released his own messages unilaterally, he said: “I do think that we all need to ensure that we’re all acting together in this, because all the information needs to be pulled together.
“We owe it to parliament to be totally transparent about it. We need to liaise with parliament and with the police to make sure we get the process right.”
Watch: Starmer insists he'll 'never walk away from country I love' after failed attempt to oust PM
15:34 , Nicole Wootton-CanePM speaks of challenges faced by late brother as he vows to fight on
15:22 , Nicole Wootton-CanePrime minister Sir Keir Starmer reflected on the difficulties faced by his brother as he set out why he was so determined to fight on in No 10.
Sir Keir’s younger brother Nick died aged 60 in 2024.
The prime minister said: “He had difficulties learning when he was growing up, he spent his adult life wandering from job to job in virtual poverty.
“This system, this political system, didn’t work for him and there are billions of people in the same boat, children in poverty, young people who don’t get the opportunities they deserve.
“Millions of people held back because of a system that doesn’t work for them, who are not given the dignity, the respect, the chance that they deserve.
“And I’m fighting for them. I am their prime minister, and this is their government and I will never give up on that fight.”
Scottish Labour MPs to meet after Sarwar’s aborted attempt to oust Starmer
15:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Scottish Labour MPs are set to meet after leader Anas Sarwar’s failed attempt to oust Keir Starmer from No 10 on Monday.
One source told the Independent the meeting would be “an attempt to move on after yesterday”.
Scottish MPs are split over the future of the party, with one reportedly in tears as last night as she accused Mr Sarwar of treachery.
Others supported the idea of changing PM, as the party stares down the barrel of disastrous election results in May’s Holyrood elections.
Everything Keir Starmer said as he addressed leadership turmoil
15:03 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has addressed swirling rumours over his position as prime minister during a visit to Hertfordshire this afternoon.
Here’s everything he said as he vowed to stay on in the top job:
“I will never walk away from the mandate I was given to change this country. I will never walk away from the people that I’m charged with fighting for, and I will never walk away from the country that I love, and that is the country who I truly believe we are, a compassionate, reasonable, live and let live country, a diverse country where, given half the chance, will help each other out.
“That is who we are as a country, and I want to serve every single part of that country, the country that I love.
“The fight coming up in politics, the real fight is not in the Labour Party. It’s with the right-wing politics that challenges that, the politics of Reform, the politics of divide, divide, divide, grievance, grievance, grievance. That will tear our country apart. That is the fight that we are in, and I will be in that fight as long as I have breath in my body.”
PM hits out at Labour infighting saying he would 'never walk away from the country that I love'
14:54 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer hit out at Labour infighting, as he insisted he would “never walk away from the country that I love”.
Speaking at a community visit in Hertfordshire he chose to focus on other issues Labour hope to focus on away from the scandal that has dominated the last few days.
He said the government is focusing on ending no-fault evictions and help people with the cost of living.
Sir Keir Starmer has my 'full support', Eluned Morgan says
14:43 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDarren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, asked first minister Eluned Morgan whether Sir Keir Starmer had her “full support”.
Lady Morgan replied that he did and she had contacted Sir Keir to let him know that he had her support before the meeting with the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday night.
“I think this country has had enough of changing prime ministers every couple of years,” she said.
“The idea of a Tory asking me about the performance of the prime minister is frankly laughable.
“Darren, you were an apologist for Rishi Sunak, you were a supporter of Liz Truss, you were a cheerleader for Boris Johnson, you were an applauder for Theresa May, you were a proponent for David Cameron.
“All of these people made a major contribution to crashing the economy and leaving us with the situation we have today where people are struggling to pay their bills. My job is to help them and that’s what I’m focused on doing.”
Watch: Prince William challenged over Andrew’s Epstein links
14:35 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Prince of Wales was asked about his uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
Prince William, who was in the country for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was watching children honing their football skills at a sports ground in Riyadh on Tuesday (10 February).
You can watch the clip below:
Watch: Prince William heckled over Andrew-Epstein links
Starmer an 'honourable man', Welsh first minister says
14:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFirst minister Eluned Morgan described Sir Keir Starmer as an “honourable man” who is “committed to public service”.
She told the Senedd: “I have never been a fan of Peter Mandelson. I never felt that he held the same kind of values as we do in Welsh Labour.
“The recent revelations that he shared sensitive government information with somebody who could benefit financially, I think was a low that many people hadn’t expected.
“What is important now is that Keir Starmer takes this opportunity to refocus the issues relating to Epstein onto the women and girls who have been abused. That’s where it needs to be and that’s where the focus needs to stay.
“I think the prime minister is an honourable man, he is committed to public service and I think he wants to do right by the country.”
Keir Starmer clings on as another aide quits and Scottish leader urges him to step down after ‘too many mistakes’
14:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox, Whitehall editor Kate Devlin, and political correspondent Millie Cooke report:
Sir Keir Starmer is clinging on to power with the support of key cabinet figures – even after being rocked by the departure of a second key aide, and a public demand for his resignation from Labour’s own leader in Scotland.
The prime minister was supported by colleagues, including his former deputy Angela Rayner, as the previously loyal Anas Sarwar urged him to step down over the Mandelson-Epstein scandal, saying he had made “too many mistakes”.
On a day of drama, the PM was also hit by the resignation of Downing Street director of communications Tim Allan, less than 24 hours after chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned.
Starmer loses another top aide but clings on – for now
Watch: Prince William heckled over Andrew-Epstein during Saudi Arabia trip
14:10 , Rebecca WhittakerUK falls to new low in global corruption scale over party donations and Epstein scandals
14:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe UK has sunk to a new low on a global corruption index amid political turmoil over party donations and as Sir Keir Starmer’s government struggles to recover from the Epstein-Mandelson scandal.
On a scale of 0 to 100, Britain has now slipped to 70, marking the lowest point since the Corruption Perceptions Index underwent a major revamp in 2012. The UK now remains 20th for the third consecutive year, despite previously ranking in the top ten positions.
Holly Evans has more below:
UK falls to new low on corruption scale over party donations and Epstein scandals
Burnham hits out at briefings against Labour politicians
13:55 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
Andy Burnham called for briefings against Labour politicians to be dialled down, as he said he had spoken to Keir Starmer creating a "sense of a stronger team again" in the party.
A row erupted between Wes Streeting and Downing Street on Monday night after the health secretary hit out at briefings he was involved in an attempted coup.
Asked if he thought it was wrong for the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to call for Sir Keir to resign, and whether he could rule himself out of any future leadership challenge, Mr Burnham said: "I think we've got to get away from the kind of sense that everything is a challenge… I spoke to the prime minister, spoke to the government, we need to get that strong sense of a stronger team again than there has been in recent times.”
He added: "We need to sort of dial down all of this constant briefing. It's seemingly a bit endless some of the anonymous briefings going around. I think we just need to focus on what's in front of us.
“There's a by-election in front of us, I've been playing my role in that by-election... that's the issue in politics right in front of us - the politics of collectivism versus the politics of division.
"My view is you've got to focus on stopping that now.... and everything else is noise in the background."
Palantir government contracts awarded 'fairly and transparently', minister says after £240m MoD defence deal
13:50 , Rebecca WhittakerHolly Bancroft the Independent’s Home Affairs correspondent reports:
Security minister Dan Jarvis has said that government contracts awarded to US tech firm Palantir were "awarded fairly and transparently", following questions from the science and technology committee about a £240m defence deal.
Palantir signed a £241m deal with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) last month and it also has contracts with the NHS, and is helping UK police forces innovate using Artificial Intelligence.
The company has employed Global Counsel, the lobbying firm founded by Peter Mandelson, in the past and Sir Keir Starmer reportedly visited Palantir's offices in Washington DC with Lord Mandelson in February 2025.
Mr Jarvis told MPs on Tuesday: "As I am sure you will understand, ministers across government engage with a range of different companies as part of international travel and my understanding is that Palantir is a long-standing investor in the United Kingdom."
When asked by LibDem MP Martin Wrigley if he was comfortable with the increasing presence of Palantir in sensitive areas like the NHS and defence, Mr Jarvis replied that "I am satisfied that we've got the right processes in place".
He added that the contracts "represent a vote of confidence in the UK", saying they would "create very significant amounts of investment".
Mr Jarvis and science and technology minister Ian Murray MP confirmed to MPs that they have not met with Palantir themselves.
Watch: Awkward moment Wes Streeting has 'intimate' Mandelson text messages read back to him
13:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneBurnham accuses ministers of policies that lead to families becoming homeless
13:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
The Greater Manchester mayor, long seen as a potential rival to Keir Starmer, praised the lifting of the two-child benefit cap, which he said would have a “huge impact” on children in his city.
But he hit out at the freezing of local housing allowance, saying: “What does that do? That makes families homeless, because the gap between their income and their rent is too big.”
He said that today in Greater Manchester there were around 6,500 children in temporary accommodation.
He added: “National government really doesn't focus enough on local government and what its decisions do to local government, and particularly what those decisions mean for child poverty in places like Greater Manchester. And I think we need to join up all of those things.”
PM refuses to say he has confidence in top civil servant
13:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to say he has confidence in Britain's top civil servant, Sir Chris Wormald, amid rumours he is on his way out in the coming days.
Sir Chris had previously been put in charge of leading the process of going through all internal government files relating to Peter Mandelson. But asked who would be leading that process today, the prime minister's official spokesperson said: "The Cabinet Office is leading it. I wont get into internal arrangements."
Asked whether the prime minister has full confidence in Sir Chris, he said: "I wont comment on speculation".
Starmer has 'renewed energy and clarity of message'
13:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has "renewed energy and clarity of message", his official spokesperson has insisted as the government attempts to draw a line under the chaos that has unfolded over the last few days.
Speaking to reporters, Sir Keir's official spokesperson argued that he is "showing the leadership this country needs", adding that he is "determined to work for everyone across the country so they’re better off".
"I think what you’ve seen from him yesterday is a clear determination to deliver on the mandate that he was elected with in 2024. And he’s getting on with the task on hand", he said.
Starmer refuses to say whether Streeting sought approval to publish his private messages
13:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say whether or not Wes Streeting sought his approval before publishing private messages with Peter Mandelson, with his spokesperson refusing to comment on private discussions.
The messages, which he published as part of an attempt to show he had nothing to hide relating to his relationship with Peter Mandelson, revealed the health secretary's criticism of Keir Starmer’s government.
Asked whether the prime minister is frustrated by Mr Streeting's publication, the spokesperson said: "We’ve been clear throughout that we are working with the Met. You’ve got the Met's statement.
"They also talk about how it is vital that due process is followed, that’s what we are doing and we’ve been consistent with that."
Burnham declares his support for Starmer to stay as PM
13:14 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Asked at an event in central London whether the Prime Minister has his full support to stay in post, Mr Burnham said: "Yes, he has my support. The government has my support and they had my support when I put myself forward for the by-election."
He was blocked by Sir Keir from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.
Labour is now under intense pressure over the by-election later this month and what are expected to be disastrous elections in May.
Mr Burnham also called for more “unity” in the Labour Party at the Resolution Foundation's event on working-age families.
PM refuses to back Wes Streeting until next election
13:10 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The prime minister has refused to back health secretary Wes Streeting staying in post until the next election, after he released his private messages with disgraced former Labour peer Peter Mandelson, revealing his criticism of Keir Starmer’s government.
While the prime minister's official spokesperson said he has full confidence in Mr Streeting, asked whether he backs him until the next election, he said: "I’m not going to go through the Cabinet on that basis."
It comes despite the PM previously backing both David Lammy and Rachel Reeves to stay in post until the next election when they were facing calls to quit.
Burnham urges Starmer to adopt ‘more inclusive’ approach as he calls for 'stability' ahead of crunch by-election
13:01 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has broken his silence over the crisis engulfing Keir Starmer’s government.
Mr Burnham was not one of the senior party figures who publicly backed the prime minister on Tuesday, even as cabinet ministers tweeted their support after the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged him to quit.
Today at a conference in London, he warned of the challenges of “Unsung Britain” and said tackling those "requires stability, and I make my own call to that today across the Labour Party.
“Of course, stability comes from greater unity, and that would be helped by a more inclusive way of running the party, but recent events make that now feel possible… Today, our focus should be on the by-election in Manchester, which I am going to say to you all today, is winnable for Labour."
He called for the pace of change to get faster, but added that required unity.
“This is a moment for everyone (to be) pulling in the same direction” he said as he called for housing to rise to the top of the government's priority list.
But he also called into question the impact of the government’s £1.5m housing target, calling for half a million of them to be council and social homes.
Burnham hits out at Mandelson scandal and says politicians must not get too close to wealth
12:47 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is speaking this afternoon at a Resolution Foundation conference on “Unsung Britain”.
In remarks that will be seen as a comment on the Mandelson-Epstein scandal, Mr Burnham said: "Following recent events, I think the time has come to call an end to this era in British politics where politicians got too close to wealth".
He added: "I believe this government has in fact drawn a line and taken Britain into this new era...for example the decision to renationalise rail".
David Blunkett gives his backing to Wes Streeting
12:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Former home secretary Lord David Blunkett has weighed in behind health secretary Wes Streeting over his decision to publish private messages with disgraced former peer Peter Mandelson.
The Labour grandee said that Sir Keir Starmer should have not have sacked Mr Streeting even though he did not ask permission to publish the messages and also broke collective responsibility in the cabinet by revealing deep disagreements he has with government policy on the economy and Middle East.
But Lord Blunkett highlighted Mr Streeting’s own defence that he was dealing with “smears” over his relationship with Mandelson.
The Labour power said: “Protecting yourself is not a crime.”
Starmer attempts to move on from leadership questions
12:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Sir Keir starmer has hosted cabinet this morning with the furore over his continued leadership still rumbling.
But he opened political cabinet, which is also attended by deputy leader Lucy Powell, by thanking cabinet ministers for their support on Monday after they backed him following Scottish leader Anas Sarwar calling for him to go.
The PM said they were “strong and united.”
He highlighted the ways ministers are delivering on their mandate to change the country, including investing in local communities through Pride in Place and restoring economic stability, which has led to six interest rate cuts and lower mortgage costs for families.
He said the government would continue its relentless focus on the priorities of the British people, including tackling the cost of living.
In a bid to heal wounds he added that the whole of the Labour Party wants Mr Sarwar to become first minister and will fight for a Labour government in Scotland.
PM says he still backs Sarwar despite first minister calling for him to resign
12:35 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe prime minister has said he still backs Anas Sarwar to become the next first minister of Scotland, despite the Scottish Labour leader’s criticism of him.
Sir Keir Starmer said the “whole of the Labour Party” wants Anas Sarwar to become first minister and will fight for a Labour government in Scotland.
It comes after Mr Sarwar said the PM should step down, telling reporters: “The distraction needs to end, and the leadership in Downing Street has to change”.
Covid families call for top civil servant to resign
12:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCovid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK has responded to reports about Sir Chris Wormald’s future in government saying the senior civil servant should resign.
A spokesperson for Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK said Sir Chris has played a “central role” in failures that led to deaths during the pandemic.
“He has no place in any government that claims to listen to families bereaved by Covid,” they continued.
“The Covid Inquiry’s Module 2 report criticised him by name and found there was no evidence he acted to correct misleading assurances within government about its ability to cope, obscuring the reality and the need for more urgent action.
“Bereaved families watched him give evidence to the Inquiry and heard repeated denials and a refusal to accept responsibility for what went wrong. It is unacceptable that, rather than being dismissed long ago for his critical failures during the pandemic, he was kept on and promoted.”
Poll: If Sir Keir Starmer were forced to step aside, who should replace him as Labour leader?
12:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on – but after the most turbulent day of his premiership so far, questions about his future refuse to go away.
The prime minister has been engulfed in a political storm since admitting he was aware of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein even after the disgraced financier’s conviction for child sex offences. The controversy has triggered a wave of criticism across the political spectrum, including from within Labour’s own ranks, with some MPs openly declaring “it’s over” for Sir Keir.
With senior figures increasingly being discussed as potential successors, the question is no longer unthinkable: if Sir Keir Starmer were forced to step aside, who should replace him as Labour leader?
You can vote in our poll below:
Poll: If Starmer were forced to step aside, who should replace him as Labour leader?
Met Police statement in full as ministers warned not to release messages with Mandelson
12:05 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Metropolitan Police have issued a statement warning MPs not to release their messages with Lord Mandelson amid ongoing investigations.
A spokesperson said the force would be working “alongside” the Cabinet Office to review material in what it called a “complex” investigation.
“An investigation into alleged misconduct in public office is under way and it is vital due process is followed so that our criminal investigation and any potential prosecution is not compromised,” they said.
“As part of our enquiries, we will review material identified and provided to us by the Cabinet Office to assess whether publication is likely to have a detrimental impact on our investigation or any subsequent prosecution. We will work alongside the Cabinet Office to review relevant documents over the weeks ahead. The process to decide which documents should ultimately be published remains a matter for government and parliament.
“As we have stated previously, this investigation may be complex but we are focused on a timely and thorough process so that justice is served in this case or future ones linked to the Epstein files.
“We understand and respect the role of parliament in releasing these documents and will support their objective of transparency through our work with the Cabinet Office.”
Watch: Starmer 'liberated, determined' in crunch meeting with Labour MPs, claims Miliband
11:55 , Nicole Wootton-CaneStarmer still in 'dangerous place', Badenoch says
11:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneTory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership is still in jeopardy despite appearing to have survived the immediate threat to his leadership.
She told the Press Association: “I’ve got a lot of questions to ask him, but he is in a very dangerous place. The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the quiet bit out loud.
“Labour MPs and the Labour Party have lost confidence in their leader, but the MPs are too scared of losing their jobs, so they’re not going to call an election, and they’ve given him a stay of execution. The sad thing is that the country is suffering from not being governed at all.”
Mrs Badenoch demanded the release of the files showing how Lord Mandelson was appointed as US ambassador and his activities in government.
She said: “Tomorrow at Prime Minister’s Questions the prime minister will need to explain why the documents he promised to release last week have not turned up yet.
“What are they covering up? The Cabinet Office has told ministers not to release their text messages like Wes Streeting did. I think that there’s something they’re trying to hide and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”
Police warn ministers not to follow Wes Streeting and publish messages from Mandelson
11:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The Metropolitan Police has warned ministers that following Wes Streeting and publishing messages from Peter Mandelson could damage its investigation into the peer.
On Tuesday a Met spokesman told the Telegraph it is “vital due process is followed, so that our criminal investigation and any potential prosecution is not compromised”.
Mandelson is being investigated following allegations of misconduct in public office after emails appeared to show he shared confidential government documents with Jeffrey Epstein during the financial crash.
The Cabinet Office is currently helping the Met with its investigation as it assesses thousands of documents for publication. The Met has already asked some documents be held back to not interfere with its investigation.
Welsh first minister backs Starmer after Scottish counterpart calls for resignation
11:18 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan has thrown her support behind Sir Keir Starmer after her Scottish counterpart called for his resignation.
Baroness Morgan said: "I support the prime minister in the job he was elected to do.
"After years of revolving-door leadership under the Conservatives, the country needs stability in an age of instability, and that matters for Wales.
"I had concerns that Peter Mandelson was incompatible with public office because of the company he kept. What has since come to light has only reinforced those concerns.”
She added the failure to listen to the voices of women and girls who were abused “must be acknowledged and confronted honestly”.
Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson: Who are Starmer’s new joint chiefs of staff?
11:10 , Nicole Wootton-CaneOver the weekend Morgan McSweeney was forced to quit as Downing Street chief of staff as the scandal over Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US despite his links to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein escalated.
Sir Keir Starmer, who is fighting to save his premiership, has vowed that the agenda he and Mr McSweeney were working on will not change, with a “relentless” focus on the cost of living.
He has since appointed two new chiefs of staff - but who are they?
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox takes a look below:
Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson: Who are Starmer’s new joint chiefs of staff?
'Some' Labour MPs 'given indications' they would back vote of no confidence in PM, Badenoch says
10:55 , Nicole Wootton-CaneKemi Badenoch claimed “some” Labour MPs had “given us indications” that they would back a vote of no confidence in the prime minister.
Asked whether she was prepared to table a confidence motion, the Tory leader told broadcasters: “We’ve always been prepared to table a motion of no confidence, but what I want to see is us winning a motion of no confidence and that is why I made the offer to Labour MPs.”
She added while some had given “indications” they may back a vote, she did not believe a motion would pass at this stage.
“But I believe that the MPs behind him have lost confidence in the prime minister,” Ms Badenoch continued.
“They’re just now afraid for a general election because they know they would all lose their jobs.”
Mrs Badenoch declined to say how many Labour MPs had suggested they might vote against the government, saying she had not spoken to Conservative whips and did not “want us to go down the rabbit hole of exactly how many there are”.
Live: Ministers depart Downing Street after cabinet meeting
10:50 , Nicole Wootton-CaneStarmer still ‘determined’ Anas Sarwar should be Scotland’s next FM
10:37 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer is still “determined” that Anas Sarwar should be Scotland’s next first minster – despite the Scottish Labour leader yesterday calling on the prime minister to step down.
Claiming there have been “too many mistakes” from Sir Keir’s Labour government in Westminster, Mr Sarwar said on Monday that the prime minister and the row over his appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson were a “distraction” from his bid to oust the SNP from power in May’s Holyrood elections.
However, members of the UK Cabinet rallied behind the under-fire prime minister – with Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander insisting on Tuesday Sir Keir will still be in Downing Street at the end of this year.
“I have spoken to the prime minister in the last few hours, I have spoken to Anas, and I can tell you sincerely there is a willingness to work together,” he said.
Mr Alexander continued: “Keir Starmer was on the phone to me yesterday evening making very clear he remains determined Anas Sarwar is the first minister of Scotland after May.
“Equally, Anas is clear he has set out his position, he will work hard to take the fight to the SNP in the coming months.”
Minister ‘barred from following Wes Streeting and releasing their own Mandelson messages’
10:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Ministers have reportedly been banned from following Wes Streeting and pre-emptively releasing their own texts with Peter Mandelson.
The Cabinet Office Propriety and Ethics team has contacted ministers warning them not to publish anything within the scope of what the government is being forced to release, after a Commons vote last week, according to the Sun.
Mr Streeting effectively fired the starting gun on a stealth leadership bid last night with the release of his messages. The move means they will not hang over him should a vacancy become available.
Watch: Lucy Powell says Keir Starmer has her full support following Epstein-Mandelson fallout
10:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWill Starmer resign as prime minister and who could replace him?
09:48 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs ministers head into a Cabinet meeting this morning, Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership is hanging on by a thread.
But will he resign - and if so, who could replace him?
Athena Stavrou and Millie Cooke take a look below:
Will Starmer resign as prime minister and who could replace him?
In pictures: Ministers arrive for Cabinet meeting
09:37 , Nicole Wootton-Cane ‘The cabinet are like mice’ - frustration inside Labour as Starmer clings on
09:35 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
While the prime minister vows not to “walk away” there is frustration among some in Labour at how events played out yesterday. A significant number still believe he will have to leave office.
However, yesterday’s botched attempt to oust him mean it may not be until after the party suffers electoral defeat, either at this month’s Westminster by-election or May’s elections.
Much of the anger is being directed at cabinet ministers. “The cabinet are like mice,” one Labour grandee told the Independent.
Analysis: Starmer survives another day - but he's not in the clear yet
09:25 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has survived another day. At around 3pm yesterday, as Anas Sarwar was gearing up to call for him to go, it seemed like it could be the end for the beleaguered prime minister.
But, just two hours later, almost the entire Cabinet had come out to back him. The public show of support, coming just hours before the PM had to address Labour MPs, is what bought Starmer more time.
Without it, it is very likely the PM would have struggled to persuade the furious Parliamentary Labour Party that he should be given more time.
But while he has survived into today, he is not in the clear yet.
He has already had two major resignations from his top team of advisers. If he has any other significant resignations over the coming days, it could spell the end for him.
And at the end of February, the outcome of the Gorton and Denton by-election will be closely watched by his party. If the outcome is bad for Labour - which it most likely will be - Sir Keir will once again be fighting for his political life.
Diane Abbott slams applause for Keir Starmer as PM vows to stay on
09:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMP Diane Abbott has slammed a round of applause for Keir Starmer following his vow to stay on as prime minister as “staged.”
Starmer was met with a prolonged round of applause after addressing the parliamentary Labour Party on Monday evening, amid mounting pressure to resign amid a scandal involving Lord Peter Mandelson and the latest release of the Epstein files.
"I think the round of applause in the committee room just now was staged," Abbot, who was suspended by the Labour Party last year, told Channel 4 News.
“I can’t see him lasting beyond May’s election,” she added.
Diane Abbott slams applause for Keir Starmer as PM vows to stay on
PM 'not on his knees', Labour MP insists
09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer is “not on his knees” but “'strong, determined and committed” following a weekend of chaos, a Labour MP has said.
Karl Turner told Sky News the prime minister was “angry at himself” for taking advice to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.
But he added: "I think he's satisfied the Parliamentary Labour Party that this is the prime minister, not on his knees, as some of the media suggest, but a prime minister, strong and determined and committed to delivering for the British public."