Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing anger from Labour MPs as the fallout from Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment embroils more of the prime minister’s staff.
Backbencher Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, told the BBC’s The Week In Westminster that he no longer believed Sir Keir Starmer was “up to the job” following a fortnight of resignations and reshuffles.
Mr Lewis is the first backbencher to call for the Prime Minister to go. He said there was “a very, very dangerous atmosphere in the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) at the moment” following a “deeply unpopular” Cabinet reshuffle.
“People are concerned, slightly downtrodden, a little bit browbeaten and feeling as if the party has seen better days – it’s not a great atmosphere,” he said.
Sir Keir’s chief of staff is also facing questions over whether he stalled attempts to sack Lord Mandelson, with some MPs suggesting his position may be under threat.
Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir’s chief of staff since last October, is rumoured to have blocked efforts to remove the controversial ambassador to the UK.
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Mandelson-Epstein latest: Key points
- Mandelson's appointment was 'high risk, high reward', Cabinet minister claims
- Labour MP says Starmer 'not up to the job' anymore
- PM's chief of staff 'pushed for Mandelson apppointment'
- Analysis: Morgan McSweeney is facing his biggest test yet – and Starmer is in trouble as a result
- Mandelson says being UK ambassador to US has been 'privilege of my life'
- Mandelson 'admitted continued relationship with Epstein in vetting interview'
Zero change. Zero growth. Zero hope of Rachel Reeves being rescued
17:00
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Tom Watling
Morgan McSweeney is facing his biggest test yet – but could the PM actually sack him?
16:27
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Millie Cooke
UN urges UK government to scrap welfare cuts over human rights concerns
16:14
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Tom Watling
Labour MP says Starmer 'not up to the job' anymore
15:44
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Tom Watling
Sir Keir Starmer is “not up to the job” of Prime Minister, a backbench Labour MP has said.
Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, told the BBC’s The Week In Westminster programme: “You see a Labour Prime Minister who feels that he’s lost control within the first year.
“This isn’t navel-gazing. This is me thinking about my constituents, this country, and the fact that the person who is eight points ahead of us is Nigel Farage. That terrifies me. It terrifies my constituents, and it terrifies a lot of people in this country.
“We don’t have the luxury of carrying on this way with someone who I think increasingly, I’m sorry to say, just doesn’t seem up to the job.”
Mr Lewis is the first backbencher to call for the Prime Minister to go, adding there was “a very, very dangerous atmosphere in the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) at the moment” following a “deeply unpopular” Cabinet reshuffle.
He said: “People are concerned, slightly downtrodden, a little bit browbeaten and feeling as if the party has seen better days – it’s not a great atmosphere.”
Reed said to have brought ‘change of tone’ to housing ministry after reshuffle
15:26
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Tom Watling
Last week’s reshuffle has brought a “change in tone” on housing, industry sources said following a meeting with the new Housing Secretary.
Steve Reed, who replaced Angela Rayner as Housing Secretary following her resignation last week, issued what officials described as a “call to arms” at a meeting with developers on Thursday.
Pledging to “build, baby, build”, he said the Government was “doubling down on our plans to unleash one of the biggest eras of building in our country’s history and we are backing the builders all the way”.
One of those present at the meeting told the PA news agency they had detected a “definite change in tone”, with Mr Reed focusing on areas beyond planning reform, such as mortgage availability, Government support for home buyers and the costs faced by developers.
They told PA: “I think we are already seeing a broader look and engagement from that secretary of state level than maybe we did, which can only be positive, but clearly it’s very early days.”
Adding that officials had shown a different perspective under Mr Reed’s direction, they described the new Housing Secretary as “someone who is clearly a doer”.
Although the source said there was little discussion of policy at the meeting, they urged Mr Reed to continue engaging with industry and urge the Treasury to avoid imposing further costs on developers.
Badenoch says Starmer should 'never have appointed' Mandelson
14:57
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Tom Watling
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the Prime Minister “should never have appointed” Lord Peter Mandelson, who has been sacked as ambassador to the US over his close relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to broadcasters in Cambridge, Mrs Badenoch said: “What this is showing is that he (Keir Starmer) had very bad judgment and he was only forced into sacking Peter Mandelson because I raised those questions at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday and a lot of his backbenchers heard how bad it was and put pressure on him.
“It is unfortunate that this is now happening just before a state visit.
“We now don’t have an ambassador in place. All of that is Keir Starmer’s fault, not anyone else’s.”
Why Epstein and Mandelson’s friendship matters even more than you think
14:30
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Rebecca Whittaker
Lib Dems call for Parliament to vet next US Ambassador
14:20
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Rebecca Whittaker
The Liberal Democrats have called for Parliament to be given a role in vetting the next US Ambassador, following the sacking of Peter Mandelson over his links with Epstein.
The party has said this should include a hearing with the Foreign Affairs Committee, to properly scrutinise the next proposed Ambassador.
Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller said: “The Prime Minister's appointment of Mandelson was a clear error of judgment, a mistake that we cannot afford to let him repeat.
"With Trump in the White House, we need an ambassador who will stand up to the President, and represent British values.
“To avoid further national embarrassment for our country on the international stage, the Foreign Affairs Committee must now have a role in scrutinising Mandelson’s successor before they are appointed."
Watch: Theresa May opposes Assisted Dying Bill over safeguarding concerns
14:05
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Rebecca Whittaker
'Very good progress' made on dealing with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles
13:50
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Rebecca Whittaker
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said “very good progress” has been made to reach an agreement with the UK on dealing with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Mr Martin made the comments after what he was described as a “very warm and constructive” meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers on Friday morning.
“We discussed a broad range of matters, including the positive relations between our two countries and the extensive programme of bilateral co-operation under way between our two governments, including in preparation for the upcoming UK-Ireland summit, which will take place in Ireland in the spring,” he said.
“Very good progress has been made on legacy and the Prime Minister and I agreed that we are close to setting out a framework to address legacy issues, recognising its importance to victims and survivors, and to the wider community in Northern Ireland and across these islands.
“We discussed the catastrophic situation in Gaza – the need for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and a massive surge in humanitarian aid. We also committed to continue working together with the coalition of the willing to strengthen support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to stop its war of aggression on the people of Ukraine.”
Starmer 'Should never have appointed' Lord Peter Mandelson, Tory leader says
13:35
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Rebecca Whittaker
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the Prime Minister “should never have appointed” Lord Peter Mandelson, who has been sacked as ambassador to the US over his close relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to broadcasters in Cambridge, Mrs Badenoch said: “What this is showing is that he (Keir Starmer) had very bad judgment and he was only forced into sacking Peter Mandelson because I raised those questions at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday and a lot of his backbenchers heard how bad it was and put pressure on him.
“It is unfortunate that this is now happening just before a state visit.
“We now don’t have an ambassador in place. All of that is Keir Starmer’s fault, not anyone else’s.”
Ireland willing to play a role in peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, says Martin
13:19
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Tom Watling
Ireland would be “willing to play a role” in peace monitoring and peacekeeping in Ukraine, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said.
Mr Martin said he had discussed potential support from Ireland to Ukraine during his meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Friday.
He said there were also other tasks such as demining that could contribute to the maintenance of a ceasefire.
“We’ve been part of many peacekeeping missions around the world where we’ve been effective – Chad, Lebanon, Kosovo – and so, therefore, I think it’s important that Ireland plays its role in terms of any potential peace or ceasefire [in Ukraine].
“At the moment, however, there is no sign that Russia is serious about cessation of the war.”
Mr Martin said he would work with EU colleagues to implement further sanctions on Russia.
Multiple Labour MPs considering defecting to Greens, Zack Polanski claims
12:57
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Tom Watling
Starmer backs McSweeney after rumours of Mandelson involvement
12:46
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Tom Watling
Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer still had confidence in his “top team” follow questions over his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who was reported to have lobbied for Lord Mandelson’s initial appointment.
Asked if Sir Keir still had confidence in Mr McSweeney’s judgment, a No 10 spokesman said: ” Of course the Prime Minister has confidence in his top team and they are getting on with the important work of this Government, which has seen us deliver more than five million extra NHS appointments, new NHS league tables to drive up standards for patients, the new defence industrial strategy, which has included things like the £10 billion frigate deal with Norway.”
Meet James Roscoe and Clemency Burton-Hill: Washington’s new power couple
12:28
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Tom Watling
Farage says Starmer 'ignored the warnings' about Mandelson
12:08
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Tom Watling
Nigel Farage has suggested Sir Keir Starmer “ignored the warnings” about Lord Peter Mandelson, who was sacked from his role as ambassador to the US this week.
Lord Mandelson was removed from his post after emails emerged in which the peer offered support to Epstein even as he faced jail for sex offences.
Sir Keir, who had said he had “full confidence” in Lord Mandelson before the emails were published, now faces questions over what he knew and when about the ex-ambassador’s ties to Epstein.
Speaking as part of a Reform UK press conference in Caerphilly, Mr Farage said: “I’m not saying Mandy has done a bad job over there but I think we have the good fortune of a pro-British presidency.
“Look, Peter Mandelson – he’s a very clever bloke, he’s a very knowledgeable bloke.
“But, clearly, he does have one or two demons. Twice before he’s been removed from Cabinet. This is the third time he’s been removed.”
Lord Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein had been known prior to his appointment, but Bloomberg and The Sun published emails showing the relationship continued after his crimes had emerged.
Mr Farage said: “I just don’t know what the intelligence briefing that Morgan McSweeney, the right-hand man to the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister got, but you sort of begin to get the feeling that the PM ignored the warnings, carried on without really having much support in his own party, and then it took him quite a long time to actually remove Lord Mandelson.
“So, it’s kind of left the PM and McSweeney, his right-hand man, in a very difficult position with their own parliamentary party.”
Ex-PM Theresa May warns assisted dying bill will see people pressurised to end their lives for 'benefit of others'
11:44
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Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor
The former prime minister has told peers she does not believe the assisted dying Bill has the safeguards to prevent people from being pressurised to end their lives.
Baroness May of Maidenhead told the chamber: "I oppose this Bill and I wish to set out my main reasons.
"First, I do not believe that the safeguards in this Bill will prevent people from being pressurised to end their lives, sometimes for the benefit of others.
"I also worry that, as we have seen in countries where there is such a law, that people will feel that they must end their lives simply because they feel they are a burden on others.
"I worry about the impact it will have on people with disabilities, with chronic illness, with mental health problems, because there is a risk that legalising assisted dying reinforces the dangerous notion that some lives are less worth living than others, and again as we have seen in other countries, once a law like this is passed, the pressure then grows to extend the scope of it."
Calls for Parliament to vet next US Ambassador after Mandelson sacked
11:25
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Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor
Parliament must have a role in vetting the next US Ambassador, the Lib Dems have said,
This should include a hearing with the powerful Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, to “avoid a repeat of the botched appointment of a compromised public figure”, the party said.
Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller said: “The Prime Minister's appointment of Mandelson was a clear error of judgment, a mistake that we cannot afford to let him repeat.
"With Trump in the White House, we need an ambassador who will stand up to the President, and represent British values.
“To avoid further national embarrassment for our country on the international stage, the Foreign Affairs Committee must now have a role in scrutinising Mandelson’s successor before they are appointed.”
Mandelson’s advisory firm to cut ties with former ambassador
11:10
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Tom Watling
Lord Peter Mandelson’s advisory firm is set to cut ties with him after he was fired as US ambassador following revelations about the extent of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Global Counsel, a firm co-founded by Mandelson in 2010, plans to sell off his multimillion pound stake.
The former ambassador had already stepped back from Global Counsel after being appointed by Sir Keir Starmer last December.
But recent Companies House filings show he still retains a 21 per cent stake in the company.
Analysis: Morgan McSweeney a controversial figure even before Mandelson row
10:52
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Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor
Sir Keir’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is facing fresh scrutiny over his role in the sacking of Peter Mandelson – but it is not the first controversy to hit the softly spoken Irishman.
There is growing anger amid claims that he pushed for Lord Mandelson to be appointed as ambassador to Washington, raising questions over both his and the prime minister’s judgement.
But in recent months he has also been accused of ignoring the rising concerns of Labour backbenchers over plans to deny welfare payments to hundreds of thousands of disabled people in a bid to save £5bn a year – which eventually led to a screeching climb down.
As Labour’s former elections guru, and now Sir Keir’s closest aide, Mr McSweeney has near-unrivalled influence. But he has also faced criticism from some who wonder if he is better suited to campaigns than the day-to-day job of running something as large as the government.
He is also thought to back the two-child benefits cap, hated by many Labour MPs, arguing that voters support it on the grounds of fairness – that if working families have to consider if they could afford another child, so should those on benefits.
He has also long been a bogeyman of the left of the party for his drive to expunge Corbynism from Labour and accused of ruthlessly promoting loyalist MPs into safe and easily winnable Labour seats.
No coronation for Phillipson as she faces challenge from ex-minister in race to become deputy Labour leader
10:37
,
Tom Watling
Steve Darling and guide dog Jennie win the hearts of Westminster’s Dog of the Year
10:23
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Tom Watling
Farage says it has been 'expensive week' seeking tax advice
10:12
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Tom Watling
Speaking at the Reform press conference in Caerphilly, Nigel Farage has said he has had a “very expensive week” seeking advice from tax experts.
The Reform UK leader said last year he had bought a home in his Essex constituency, but it was later reported that his partner had actually made the purchase.
Questions over the home have resurfaced after Angela Rayner resigned last week over underpaying stamp duty on a seaside flat she bought this year.
Mr Farage said his partner Laure Ferrari is the sole owner of the Clacton property but has faced calls to explain the situation amid suggestions he could have structured the purchase in order to avoid paying additional tax.
He said: “The money was legally hers, she bought the house. I don’t have any financial stake in it whatsoever – other than she lets me stay there.”
Mr Farage told reporters he had sought the advice of a King’s Counsel (KC) tax expert about the situation.
“I have paid a lot of money to make sure we have done everything right,” he said.
The MP added that he was “really concerned” that some media reports were “beginning to stray” into “libel territory”.
He added: “I have done everything I can to prove everything I have done has been legal and correct.”
Nigel Farage urged to explain how his partner funded £885k Clacton home
10:02
,
Tom Watling
Reform appoints former communications chief as candidate in Wales
09:54
,
Tom Watling
Reform UK has selected a former communications chief as its candidate in a by-election in Wales.
Llyr Powell has been chosen to run for the party in the upcoming vote in Caerphilly, due to take place on October 23.
Mr Powell previously worked as a communications specialist for the party in Wales.
The by-election was called following the death of Labour politician Hefin Wyn David, who had served as member of the Senedd for Caerphilly since 2016.
Oxford Union condemns incoming president’s comments about Charlie Kirk shooting
09:45
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Tom Watling
The debating society of the Oxford Union has “unequivocally” condemned comments made by its incoming president after he reportedly sent messages celebrating the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Father-of-two Mr Kirk, 31, a Donald Trump ally and co-founder and chief executive of the youth right-wing organisation Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University show on Wednesday, in what authorities called a political assassination.
George Abaraonye, a student at Oxford University who became president-elect of the Oxford Union after a vote earlier this year, posted several comments appearing to celebrate what happened, The Telegraph reported.
The Times reported that in one message to fellow students in a WhatsApp chat, Mr Abaraonye wrote, “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s f****** go”, while another on his Instagram account read, “Charlie Kirk got shot loool”.
Mr Kirk and Mr Abaraonye, a politics, philosophy and economics student, met during a debate on “toxic masculinity” held by the Oxford Union – which is primarily for students and staff at the university – in May.
Mandelson's appointment was 'high risk, high reward', Cabinet minister claims
09:40
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Millie Cooke
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The appointment of Peter Mandelson was "high risk, high reward", a Cabinet minister has said.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Douglas Alexander said: "In different ways, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Keir Starmer have all recognised that Peter Mandelson brought both high risks and potentially very high rewards.”
It comes after he told Sky News that Lord Mandelson's appointment was a "judgment” that an “unconventional presidential administration” required an “unconventional ambassador”.
The Scottish secretary also said he had reacted with “incredulity and revulsion” to the publication of emails between Lord Mandelson and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, adding he was “not here to defend him”.
UK economy flatlined in July after sharp contraction in manufacturing
09:26
,
Tom Watling
Analysis: Morgan McSweeney is facing his biggest test yet – and Starmer is in trouble as a result
09:05
,
Millie Cooke
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Morgan McSweeney is facing his biggest test yet amid claims he pushed for Mandelson to be appointed as ambassador – raising major questions over both his and the prime minister’s judgement.
The claims about McSweeney have left Keir Starmer walking a tightrope. On the one hand, he is already facing questions about his judgement so keeping McSweeney in post could raise even further problems for the prime minister if the allegations don’t go away.
But on the other hand, the prime minister has seen a huge staff turnover in Downing Street, and has tried (and failed) to reset the narrative repeatedly – so getting rid of someone who has been so instrumental in his leadership of the party could serve to make things worse. It would also come after the loss of both Angela Rayner and Peter Mandelson in the space of just two weeks. The optics are far from ideal.
Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney ‘pushed for appointment of Mandelson’
08:45
,
Millie Cooke
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Mandelson would not have been appointed if relationship with Epstein was clear, says minister
08:33
,
Tom Watling
Lord Peter Mandelson would not have been appointed as US ambassador had the Prime Minister known the depth of his association with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a Cabinet minister has said.
Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander told BBC Breakfast: “Nothing justifies Peter Mandelson’s appointment in light of what has now emerged and our thoughts have to be with everyone affected by Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes.
“But the reality is, in the last couple of days Peter Mandelson was in the White House with Donald Trump. The reality is the United Kingdom did the first trade deal of any government with the Trump administration. And the reality is, along with Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer has established a strong and important relationship with President Trump in the interests of the United Kingdom.
“So, in retrospect, of course, if (it) had been known at the time what is known now, the appointment wouldn’t have been made.
“But it is possible that two things are true at once. On one hand, Peter Mandelson did bring some very particular qualities to that job and to that diplomatic post, and on the other hand, as has been confirmed, there were manifest weaknesses of his judgment that have been brutally exposed by these emails.”
PM's chief of staff 'pushed for Mandelson apppointment'
08:10
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Tom Barnes
The prime minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is facing questions over reports he pushed for Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador and then, according to sources, tried to prevent his sacking this week.
Asked whether No 10 ignored security concerns reportedly flagged by security services before the appointment, the spokesperson said: “No 10 was not involved in the security vetting process. This is managed at departmental level by the agency responsible and any suggestion that No 10 was involved is untrue.”
Yvette Cooper ‘frustrated’ by Home Office move amid Starmer reshuffle, Ed Balls reveals
08:55
,
Tom Watling
Mandelson was 'unconventional ambassador' for 'unconventional presidential administration', minister says
07:49
,
Tom Barnes
Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US was a “judgment” that an “unconventional presidential administration” required an “unconventional ambassador”, a Cabinet minister has said.
Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander told Sky News he had reacted with “incredulity and revulsion” to the publication of emails between Lord Mandelson and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, adding he was “not here to defend him”.
Mr Alexander said: “What is important is to know that when the Prime Minister became aware of the content of those emails on Wednesday, by Thursday morning Peter Mandelson was dismissed as the ambassador.
“The reason he was appointed was a judgment, a judgment that given the depth of his experience as a former trade commissioner for the European Union, his long experience in politics, and his politics and doing politics at the highest international levels, he could do a job for the United Kingdom.
“We knew this was an unconventional presidential administration and that was the basis on which there was a judgment that we needed an unconventional ambassador.”
James Roscoe and Clemency Burton-Hill: Washington’s new power couple
06:00
,
Bryony Gooch
Meet the ‘pawlitician’ crowned Westminster’s Dog of the Year
05:02
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Bryony Gooch
