Police are searching addresses in Wiltshire and Camden, north London, as part of a misconduct in public office investigation launched into Lord Peter Mandelson.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "I can confirm that officers from the Met's Central Specialist Crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area.
"The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.
"He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing."
It comes as the lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Mandelson has cut all ties with the former US ambassador in light of his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Global Counsel said Lord Mandelson no longer has a stake in the business nor any influence over it, and co-founder and chief executive Benjamin Wegg-Prosser said he was stepping down.
Meanwhile, Westminster is in disarray as pressure mounts on Sir Keir Starmer to sack his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, or jeopardise his own position as prime minister.
Read MoreI’m sorry for appointing Mandelson and believing his Epstein lies, Starmer says
If a miserable Starmer is to survive, he must show leadership
Starmer’s survival depends on the fate of his right-hand man
Key Points
- BREAKING: Two properties linked to ex-Lord being searched by police amid Epstein investigation
- Mandelson's lobbying firm cuts all ties and announces boss to quit
- Starmer ‘needs a miracle’, Labour MP says amid leadership speculation
- PM looks ‘weak, gullible and naive’ and could be finished, Harriet Harman warns
- Starmer under pressure as leadership speculation intensifies
- Rayner rumoured to be set to launch leadership campaign
Wiltshire property where Mandelson declared he would not not hide ‘under a rock’ because of Epstein revelations
16:08 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Mandelson declared he would not hide “under a rock” despite a series of shocking revelations about his relationship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein from his Wiltshire home earlier this week.
In a bizarre interview published on Monday, carried out before some of the most serious allegations emerged, Mandelson said that “hiding under a rock would be a disproportionate response to a handful of misguided historical emails, which I deeply regret sending.”
He added: “I too am amazed by some of the conversations I had and areas of my life where I was seeking advice from Epstein.”
He also praised Epstein’s dinner parties and said he could not recall anything related to an extraordinary photo, released by as part of the Epstein files, that pictured him in his underpants.
He said he had “no idea what I am doing in this photograph or who the woman was. It looks as though she came in and showed me something on an iPad”.
Who is Morgan McSweeney? Starmer’s right-hand man and Peter Mandelson ally
16:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainMorgan McSweeney, seen as an ally of the disgraced peer, is considered the driving force behind Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
This is despite his alleged knowledge that Mandelson's dealings with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein continued after the financier’s conviction for child sex offences.
As the prime minister’s right-hand man, Mr McSweeney is central to government strategy and decision-making.
Read more here:
Who is Morgan McSweeney? Starmer’s right-hand man and Peter Mandelson ally
BREAKING: Two properties linked to ex-Lord being searched by police amid Epstein investigation
15:53 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPolice are searching addresses in Wiltshire and Camden, north London, as part of a misconduct in public office investigation launched into Lord Peter Mandelson.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "I can confirm that officers from the Met's Central Specialist Crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area.
"The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offences, involving a 72-year-old man.
"He has not been arrested and enquiries are ongoing."
Zack Polanski slams Keir Starmer over Mandelson-Epstein row: ‘Serious questions to answer’
15:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Polanski slams Starmer over Mandelson-Epstein scandal
Starmer allies warn a Rayner coup could trigger general election
15:25 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe prime minister’s allies have warned that a leadership coup by Angela Rayner could trigger a general election.
One Labour figure who served on Sir Keir Starmer’s front bench told The Telegraph: “Presumably Angela Rayner, if she got elected, would have a completely different agenda.
“If you come in with a completely different agenda then the country legitimately says, ‘We didn’t vote for this’.”
In-fighting in Labour party as MPs disagree over McSweeney
15:10 , Maryam Zakir-HussainResponding to names of Labour MPs calling for Morgan McSweeney to be sacked, Luke Akehurst MP said: “I'm not sure Morgan McSweeney should lose much sleep over this small collection of my PLP colleagues, all policy rebels on various issues, calling for his departure.”
The MP for North Durham added: “The same names repeatedly take the opportunity to share their hot takes with the media.”
Karl Turner MP was quick to fire back, saying: “I don’t think McSweeney will give a monkeys, Luke. But our PM should. And so should you. We aren’t some sort of fast food franchise. We are the Labour Party.
“Getting clever like this about those of us that have got the bottle to speak says more about you than it does about me.”
I don’t think McSweeney will give a monkeys, Luke. But our PM should. And so should you. We aren’t some sort of fast food franchise. We are the Labour Party. Getting clever like this about those of us that have got the bottle to speak says more about you than it does about me. https://t.co/MhX9iH517i
— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) February 6, 2026
John McDonnell signs Nadia Whittome's Early Day motion
14:55 , Maryam Zakir-HussainLabour MP John McDonnell has said he “signed and wholeheartedly support[s]” Nadia Whittome’s Early Day motion calling for a public inquiry into the British public figures and Institutions linked to Epstein.
I have signed and wholeheartedly support this Early Day Motion calling for a public inquiry into the British public figures and Institutions linked to Epstein. https://t.co/v1plqn0wbi
— John McDonnell (@johnmcdonnellMP) February 6, 2026
The Epstein files reveal a horrifying truth about British politics: a paedophile was, in effect, a secret member of the cabinet
14:40 , Maryam Zakir-HussainWhat is yet to truly sink in is the allegation that the infamous financier effectively found himself with a seat slap-bang in the middle of the UK government, says Chris Blackhurst:
Epstein was in effect a secret member of the British cabinet
I’m sorry for appointing Mandelson and believing his Epstein lies, Starmer says
14:20 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRecap:
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is sorry for believing Peter Mandelson’s “lies” and for appointing him to the role of Britain’s ambassador to the US, as he tries to weather the crisis that has threatened to end his premiership.
Following a barrage of criticism from his own MPs on one of the most turbulent days of his leadership, the prime minister began a planned speech about community cohesion with a frank apology to the victims of paedophile sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, as he addressed growing anger over the way he has dealt with the issue.
Athena Stavrou, Kate Devlin & Millie Cooke report:
I’m sorry for appointing Mandelson and believing his Epstein lies, Starmer says
Nadia Whittome hits out at briefings which 'smear character of Labour MPs calling on PM to quit'
14:05 , Maryam Zakir-HussainNadia Whittome MP has slammed briefings which “smear” the Labour MPs who say the prime minister’s position is unsustainable
Taking to social media, the MP for Nottingham East said: “Briefings smearing the character of Labour MPs who are stating the obvious (that the PM’s position is untenable), instead of defending the indefensible, are utterly disgraceful.”
She added: “I was a trustee for a child sexual abuse charity before I was elected. I’ve spoken about this subject as an MP and tried to have discussions with ministers about how we can do better.
“I would be saying exactly the same if a leader from my wing of the party had behaved in this way - as those briefing anonymously should know - because this is bigger than internal party politics.”
Briefings smearing the character of Labour MPs who are stating the obvious (that the PM’s position is untenable), instead of defending the indefensible, are utterly disgraceful.
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) February 6, 2026
I was a trustee for a child sexual abuse charity before I was elected. I’ve spoken about this subject…
Watch: Royal family's silence on Epstein-Andrew scandal will backfire, warns expert
13:50 , Maryam Zakir-HussainMandelson's lobbying firm cuts all ties and announces boss to quit
13:35 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson has cut all ties with the former US ambassador and announced the departure of its boss Benjamin Wegg-Prosser.
Global Counsel said Lord Mandelson no longer has a stake in the business nor any influence over it.
Co-founder and chief executive Mr Wegg-Prosser said he was stepping down as it was "time to draw a line" between the firm and the "actions" of Lord Mandelson.
The business had been coming under pressure over its association with Lord Mandelson and his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Global Counsel said in a statement that it had reached an agreement to fully divest the peer's shares in the company, therefore ending any connections with him.
Its chairman, Archie Norman, said: "With the completion of this process today, Peter Mandelson no longer has any shareholding, role or association with Global Counsel and has no influence over the firm in any capacity."
Mr Wegg-Prosser said: "With the completion of the divestment of Peter Mandelson's stake in the business, I feel that now is the time to draw a line between Global Counsel and his actions."
He has been replaced as head of the firm by its managing director Rebecca Park.
Lord Mandelson co-founded the London-based firm with Mr Wegg-Prosser in 2010 after Labour lost the general election.
It is understood that Barclays has cut ties with Global Counsel amid the scrutiny.
Why do I feel like the only man outraged by the Epstein files?
13:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe latest tranche of files has been greeted more like a ‘sexpionage’ thriller than the kind of broiling injustice that should make us riot, says Richard Godwin.
Read more here:
Why do I feel like the only man outraged by the Epstein files?
Government do not have access to Mandelson’s private emails
13:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Downing Street would not be drawn on whether Peter Mandelson would hand over private emails as part of the document release.
When asked if Mandelson was complying with the government’s efforts to gather documents on his vetting process, a spokesman said: “I can't speak for Lord Mandelson.
We are obviously assessing the documentation that is relevant now and falls within the motion.”
They added: “There's private email addresses and things which the government wouldn't have access to.”
Downing Street hits back at Harman labelling Starmer ‘weak and gullible’
13:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Downing Street has rejected Baroness Harriet Harman’s brutal comments about Sir Keir Starmer's handling of the Peter Mandelson scandal.
The Labour grandee said it looks “weak and naive and gullible” for the prime minister to say Peter Mandelson “lied to me” and warned the scandal would “finish him off” unless he took the right course of action.
Asked if the prime minister is “weak and gullible” as Baroness Harman said, his official spokesman said: “No, the prime minister is getting on with the job.
“And as you saw from his speech yesterday, his priorities are driving down the cost of living, restoring pride in place, and growing the economy, and that's that's what he's getting on with.”
I’m ashamed at how easily powerful men shrug off what Epstein did because it suits them
12:45 , Maryam Zakir-HussainMen in politics and finance keep overlooking the crimes of a serial child sex offender in favour of pragmatic self-interest – and it’s enough to make me hurl my phone across the room, says Emily Sheffield:
I’m ashamed at the powerful men who shrug off what Epstein did because it suits them
Starmer backs McSweeney despite growing calls to sack his right-hand man
12:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has doubled down on his support for his controversial chief of staff Morgan McSweeney for the third day running, despite mounting pressure on the prime minister to sack him.
Mr McSweeney has been blamed by many Labour MPs for pushing for the appointment of his ally Lord Mandelson, and for bringing him back into the heart of a Labour government.
Some Labour figures have openly called on the prime minister to sack his right-hand man, but when asked on Friday if Sir Keir still has full confidence in Mr McSweeney, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “Yes.”
Starmer’s survival depends on the fate of his right-hand man
12:20 , Maryam Zakir-HussainMany people in Labour want Morgan McSweeney sacked as Downing Street chief of staff, but there are questions over how Keir Starmer would survive as PM without him, Kate Devlin and David Maddox write:
How Starmer’s survival depends on the fate of his right-hand man
Nadia Whittome MP tables motion calling for a public inquiry into the links between Jeffrey Epstein and British public figures and institutions
12:05 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament which calls for an independent statutory inquiry into the British public figures and institutions with links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Supported by 33 other MPs from six different parties, the motion pays tribute to the courage of Epstein’s victims and notes that a number of British public figures are included in the Epstein files.
It states that the inquiry should scrutinise whether these figures or British institutions “had involvement in or awareness of his crimes, what action they took or failed to take, whether they assisted in covering up child sexual abuse, and if due diligence was undertaken in the case of any appointments to public roles.”
Ms Whittome said: “The Epstein files make it clear that Epstein kept a close relationship with a number of British public figures.
“His victims, and the public more widely, need to know the truth about the extent to which these public figures and British institutions may have been complicit in his crimes.
“That means that powerful people and institutions, including the Royal Family, must face scrutiny. My motion calls on the government to set up a public inquiry to examine these links and hold anyone responsible for wrongdoing to account.”
I have tabled a motion in Parliament, supported by 33 other MPs from 6 different parties, calling for a public inquiry into the British public figures and institutions with links to Epstein.
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) February 6, 2026
With child sexual abuse on this scale, it is unfathomable that other people did not… pic.twitter.com/1jlc2wwRYh
Editorial: If a miserable Starmer is to survive, he must show leadership
11:49 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe PM is struggling to atone for his colossal misjudgement in appointing Peter Mandelson, but his bigger problem is that the country has simply stopped listening to him.
Read more here:
If a miserable Starmer is to survive, he must show leadership
Senior government figures forced to hand over private messages with Mandelson
11:35 , Maryam Zakir-HussainSenior government figures will have to hand over their messages with Peter Mandelson ahead of the release of files related to the prime minister’s decision to appoint the former peer as US ambassador despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The government is set to publish Mandelson’s vetting documents in the hopes transparency will help Sir Keir Starmer weather the political storm threatening his leadership, after he apologised to victims of Epstein for the appointment.
Athena Stavrou reports:
Senior government figures forced to hand over private messages with Mandelson
Labour needs a ‘complete reset’ in ‘moment of desperate need’, says former Scottish leader
11:13 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe government is in need of a “complete reset”, the former Labour first minister of Scotland has said.
Lord McConnell, who led the Labour Party in Scotland from 2001 to 2007, has said it’s time for Sir Keir Starmer to stop blaming advisers for mistakes and “step up”.
"To me there needs to be a complete reset here, not one of the half-hearted resets that we've seen,” he told Times Radio.
He called for Labour figures to “show us what you’ve got” in what he described as a “moment of desperate need” for the party.
“We need somebody now to step up and see that they can deliver that and they could most of all that they can provide hope for the people in the country."
Kemi Badenoch writes letter to PM demanding explanation for Mathew Doyle's peerage despite 'red flags during vetting'
10:58 , Maryam Zakir-HussainKemi Badenoch has written an open letter to the prime minister demanding to know why Matthew Doyle, the former No 10 director of communication, was “elevated to the House of Lords despite serious red flags during vetting”.
Referencing Lord Mandelson in the letter, she wrote: “This is not the only time you have appointed an individual to a prestigious position knowing of their continued relationship with a man charged with child sex crimes.”
Labour MP: Starmer ‘needs a miracle’
10:45 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
A Labour MP has said Sir Keir Starmer “needs a miracle” if he is to stay as leader amid furore over his handling of Peter Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Ian Byrne, who sits on the left-wing of the party, said the prime minister has “got to reflect on his position. You know, he's an intelligent man.”
"And he needs a miracle. He needs something to turn it around,” he told Sky News.
He added that Starmer must look at the “consequences of his actions” and said he is “in a very perilous political situation at this moment”.
There will be 'soul-searching in Labour this weekend,' Labour MSP says
10:31 , Maryam Zakir-HussainLabour MSP Monica Lennon - a leadership contender in 2021 - said just mentioning Lord Mandelson's name "makes my skin crawl", accusing him of abusing his position and public trust.
"It's not what anyone in the Labour Party wants to be talking about right now," she told BBC Radio Scotland.
"The good work the government is doing has been completely overshadowed by these scandals."
She added: "I think there will be a lot of soul-searching over the weekend.
"The prime minister clearly is distressed by the events and he is pointing fingers at Peter Mandelson, but there are questions for everyone at the top of government."
Ms Lennon called for "accountability", adding: "It can't just be someone steps down from a role, or there's an apology, there needs to be accountability.
"I think Parliament this week rose to the occasion and held the government to account.
"I think Angela Rayner's intervention was pretty powerful."
Pressure mounts on Starmer to dismiss chief of staff over Mandelson scandal
10:20 , Maryam Zakir-HussainLabour MPs issued further calls on Friday for Sir Keir to dismiss his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, whom they blame for Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador despite the peer's links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Backbencher Simon Opher called for a "clear out at Number 10", telling the BBC's Today programme: "If my chief of staff had done this, I think he would be looking for another job."
Others calling for Mr McSweeney's departure include veteran MP Clive Efford and Southport's Patrick Hurley, who suggested another job should be found for him running the party's campaigns rather than the government.
Their comments follow an intervention by Labour's former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman, who said Sir Keir should consider "a real reset" in Downing Street and warned his premiership could be finished if he does not take the right course of action.
But other than a handful of backbenchers, most MPs have so far declined to call for the prime minister himself to go, stressing their support for Sir Keir while urging a change in backroom staff.
Shadow policing minister accuses PM of 'complete failure of judgement'
10:05 , Maryam Zakir-HussainConservative MP Matt Vickers has accused the prime minister of a “complete failure of judgement” in appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Speaking to Times Radio this morning, he said: [The PM] knew that Mandelson continued to have a relationship with this chap after he was charged.”
He added: “This is one of the most evil, sick, depraved, vile people who ever walked the earth. The guy that Keir Starmer chose to appoint as ambassador- close friends with him. It’s a completely unacceptable situation.”
The shadow policing minister said: “He’s lost the confidence of his own MPs, he’s lost the confidence of the country. It’s time for Keir Starmer to go.”
“Half the British public knew about the links between Epstein and Mandelson. Keir Starmer knew significantly more than them.”
— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) February 6, 2026
Shadow policing minister @Matt_VickersMP accuses the prime minister of a “complete failure of judgement” in appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. pic.twitter.com/toJCBAC0Wf
Labour peer claims he was told to ‘shut up’ about Mandelson
09:50 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOur political correspondent Athena Stavrou reports:
A Labour peer has claimed he was effectively told to “shut up” when he raised concerns about Peter Mandelson’s ties appointment as US ambassador.
Lord Glasman told Times Radio that he wrote a memo advising the government to steer away from appointing Mandelson, but was battered away by “virtually everybody”.
He said: “I wrote a memo - 'just do not appoint'. The phrase I used was: 'he was the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time.'
“What I got [back] was, he'd negotiated the Good Friday Agreement, he did the Lisbon Treaty, there was the trade deal to do. That Mandelson was the best person to handle the complexity of the trade deal.”
He specified that it was not the prime minister’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney who told him to back down.
“He wasn't the person who came to me and said shut up,” he said.
“It was basically a non-entity. I received a message, you know, to just be quiet.”
Labour MP says PM 'needs to trust his insticts more'
09:34 , Maryam Zakir-HussainLabour MP Patrick Hurley said he is “100 per cent behind the prime minister” but said he needs to “trust his instincts more”.
The MP for Southport told Times Radio this morning: “The PM knows what he’s doing and he gets there in the end, but I just think he needs to trust his instincts more and not trust some of the advice he’s given.”
He added that the Mandelson scandal is “distraction on steroids” particularly for the by-election coming up in Manchester in three weeks, as he said “something needs to give”.
Home Office minister says 'we can turn a corner faster if we back PM'
09:21 , Maryam Zakir-HussainBritain will "turn the corner" faster if the government backs Sir Keir Starmer, a minister has said.
Asked whether the prime minister had become a "drag" on the Labour Party, Home Office minister Mike Tapp told Sky News: "We're starting to turn the corner.
"I believe if we stick with Keir Starmer, which we will, then that corner will turn faster and people will start to feel it.
"But I completely understand the anger and the distress at what's happened with Peter Mandelson's appointment. I completely agree with that, and that's why I'm really pleased to see a genuine, genuine apology from Keir Starmer."
He added that Sir Keir had "clearly" been lied to during Lord Mandelson's vetting process, saying: "I trust that, I trust Keir Starmer.
"Let's see what comes out from the documents. I think transparency is vital and that's what we're getting from this government."
Labour MP: ‘Something needs to give’ in order to move on from Mandelson scandal
09:10 , Tara CobhamA Labour MP has conceded that “something needs to give” so the party can move on from the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Patrick Hurley has called on the prime minister to make some “changes to backroom staff”, after he apologised for “believing Mandelson’s lies” over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
"We've got a great story to tell as a government...but it's all getting overshadowed," he told Times Radio.
"And when people overshadow really important, really good policy announcements like this, something needs to give. I'm not quite sure what that is, but I do know something needs to give. I know that something needs to change."
He added: "What the end game is, is that we don't have any more of these distractions because these aren't just the normal run of the mill distractions of Westminster. This is distraction on steroids."
Minister not yet asked for Mandelson messages
09:00 , Tara CobhamOn Thursday, parliamentarians responsible for deciding which documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador said ministers would have to hand over their messages to them.
Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) wrote to the prime minister on Thursday to say all “electronic communications and minutes of all meetings” between Mandelson and ministers, government officials and special advisers during his time as US ambassador would have to be handed over.
But on Friday morning, migration minister Mike Tapp said he had not yet been asked to hand over his communications with the former Labour peer.
“I haven't been asked,” he told BBC Breakfast. “But I have had communication with Lord Mandelson, and that was after my first morning round as a minister, where I refused to defend him, and he sent me his resignation letter.
“So I'm probably not in his good books, and I don't care, because we don't need people like that in government or around government in any way, shape or form.”
Government facing questions over McSweeney’s future
08:51 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to sack his controversial cheif of staff Morgan McSweeney.
McSweeney has been blamed by Labour MPs for the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, and for bringing him back into the heart of Labour government.
When asked if he had confidence in McSweeney, migration minister Mike Tapp said he has “confidence in him” still.
“The appointment of the team around Keir Starmer is for him, but my personal opinion on Morgan McSweeney is that he's always been very effective,” he told LBC.
“He's helped turn the Labor Party around and he’s helped get us elected.
“Of course, I'm not in number 10, so I don't see day to day goings on and operations. But, of course, I have confidence in him.”
Government figures to hand over private messages with Mandelson
08:44 , Tara CobhamPolitical reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Senior government figures will have to hand over their messages with Peter Mandelson, as the prime minister prepares to release files related to his decision to appoint the former peer as US ambassador despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The government is seeking to publish Mandelson’s vetting documents in the hopes transparency will help Sir Keir Starmer weather the political storm threatening his leadership.
On Wednesday, the prime minister ceded control to Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to decide which documents would not be released into the public domain based on national security concerns.
In a letter to the prime minister on Thursday, the committee outlined the scope of material it expected the government to hand over.
This included all “electronic communications and minutes of all meetings” between Mandelson and ministers, government officials and special advisers during his time as US ambassador.
Rayner rumoured to be set to launch leadership campaign
08:41 , Tara CobhamIt has been suggested that Angela Rayner could mount a leadership bid, according to reports.
The Daily Mail reported that Sir Keir’s former deputy, who left government after underpaying stamp duty on a new property, had told friends she was “ready” to launch a leadership campaign.
A spokesperson for Ms Rayner said: “We don’t recognise these claims.”
Starmer under pressure as leadership speculation intensifies
08:35 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer remains under pressure over the Peter Mandelson scandal as leadership speculation intensifies.
Backbenchers have called for either his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney to be sacked or for Sir Keir himself to step down after bombshell revelations about Lord Mandelson’s dealings with the child sex offender.
In a speech on Thursday, the prime minister insisted that “none of us knew the depth of the darkness” of the peer’s relationship with Epstein when he was appointed ambassador to the US last year.
But a handful of Labour MPs, including John McDonnell and Barry Gardiner, have publicly suggested Sir Keir should consider his position, although others have expressed reservations about the prospect of upheaval without an obvious challenger.
Amid growing uncertainty about his political future, Sir Keir said on Thursday that he shared the “anger and frustration” of colleagues about the saga but vowed to continue as prime minister.
PM looks ‘weak, gullible and naive’ and could be finished, Harriet Harman warns
08:22 , Tara CobhamLabour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman has said it looks “weak and naive and gullible” for Sir Keir Starmer to say Peter Mandelson “lied to me” and warned the scandal would “finish him off” unless he took the right course of action.
“He should be reflecting on why he made that appointment,” she told Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast.
“He should also be thinking about a real reset in No 10, because what you need from your team in No 10 is people who share your values and your principles and who will help you be the best prime minister you can be according to your true self.
“And clearly that is not what happened because the Keir Starmer who was DPP (director of public prosecutions), would never have appointed somebody like Peter Mandelson to represent the country.”
Government ‘ultimately responsible’ for Mandelson appointment, admits minister
08:20 , Tara CobhamPolitical reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
A government minister has admitted the government is “ultimately responsible” for Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
Migration minister Mike Tapp said he would not blame the vetting process for the ill-judged appointment.
“Keir Starmer was presented with the vetting report, and within that there will have been lies, there would have been weaselling, there would have been swerving, and he took that at the value,” Mr Tapp said.
“I’m not in any way blaming the vetting procedure. Ultimately, as government, we are responsible for that, and that's why this transparency is so important, so that we can learn from any mistakes and make sure that this doesn't ever happen again.”
Watch: Harriet Harman warns Peter Mandelson scandal will take Keir Starmer down unless he acts
08:20 , Tara CobhamMinister: I trust Keir Starmer
08:19 , Tara CobhamPolitical reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
A government minister has defended Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, despite a chorus of discontent from Labour MPs.
Migration Minister Mike Tapp inisted that he “trusts Keir Starmer”, as the prime minister faces furore over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
“I trust the prime minister,” he told Sky News.
“Let's see what comes out from the documents. I think transparency is vital and that's what we're getting from this government.”
He added that he believes Britain will “turn the corner” faster if Sir Keir remains in post.
He said: “We’re starting to turn the corner. I believe if we stick with Keir Starmer, which we will, then that corner will turn faster and people will start to feel it.”