Keir Starmer fighting for survival after top aide quits
Keir Starmer will face rebellious Labor MPs as he fights for political survival following the resignation of his top aide over the Peter Mandelson/Epstein scandal.
The Prime Minister is expected to address a meeting of the Parliamentary Labor Party on Monday amid anger over his appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the US, despite his knowledge of his continued links to Jeffrey Epstein after his financier was convicted of child sex crimes.
It came a day after Morgan McSweeney quit her role as Starmer’s private secretary and took “full responsibility” for making recommendations to the prime minister that resulted in the “wrong” appointment.
But scrutiny of Starmer’s own decision is increasing, with critics, including some MPs, insisting that he made the final decision.
As the government prepares for a lengthy process to release tens of thousands of emails, messages and documents related to Mandelson’s appointment, the pressure on his premiership is unlikely to ease.
Starmer believes the files will prove Mandelson lied during his investigation about the extent of his ties to the notorious pedophile.
The Guardian, citing a well-placed source, said these would show the Cabinet Office had warned of the serious reputational risk of giving Mandelson the ambassadorship.
Starmer and McSweeney, who was accused by many of pressuring his ally Mandelson to get the coveted ambassadorship, mutually agreed that the moment was right to move forward, it appears.
The Prime Minister credited his long-time adviser’s “commitment, loyalty and leadership” for Labor’s victory in the 2024 general election and said he owed him a “debt of gratitude” in a statement that did not mention the Mandelson debacle.
Labor MPs on the party’s left, including Brian Leishman, Ian Byrne and Kim Johnson, have suggested Starmer should consider following McSweeney out the door.
Two unnamed cabinet ministers were quoted by The Times as saying Starmer was “weaker” and “could stand down at any time”. News No. 10 stated that this claim was “categorically untrue.”
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