Starmer latest: PM must resign, Scottish Labour leader says as pressure piles on No 10

Political Editor David Maddox’s analysis:

The old adage that whoever wields the knife never gets the crown has often been true in UK politics. Just ask Michael Heseltine.

There is now speculation among MPs that Anas Sarwar is doing a favor for ambitious health minister Wes Streeting.

The Scottish Labor leader is believed to be close to Streeting and most Scottish MPs support Streeting’s leadership bid.

But if Mr Streeting wanted to be leader, he could not afford to deliver the blow that would unseat Starmer.

So why not ask an ally with authority who won’t be running for leadership in the party to do it for him?

One Labor MP suggested: “Anas has done a solid job for Wes.”

David Lammy says Keir Starmer will not resign.

As he walked into Downing Street on Monday, he was asked whether Starmer would respond to calls for his resignation.

In response he said: “We waited 14 years to get here, no.”

Anas Sarwar said “too many mistakes” had been made in Downing Street and Keir Starmer could not continue as leader.

He told a press conference on Monday: “We have an SNP government addicted to secrecy and covering up devastating consequences.

“So I have to be honest about the failure. The situation in Downing Street is not good enough. There have been too many mistakes.

“They promised they would be different, but so many things have happened. Have good things happened? Of course, there have been many, but no one knows them and no one can hear them because they are suppressed.

“That’s why it can’t go on.”

Downing Street insisted Sir Keir Starmer will not stop pursuing Anas Sarwar’s call for him to resign, with a spokesman saying: “He has a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change and that’s what he will do.”

Anas Sarwar said he had spoken to Sir Keir Starmer before giving his evidence this afternoon, but said: “It’s safe to say that he and I disagree.”

Anas Sarwar said he did not support any candidate to replace Keir Starmer while calling for the prime minister to resign.

The Scottish Labor leader told the press conference: “Let me be really clear, I am not supporting or supporting any alternative or candidate.

“This is not about MPs being against MSPs, this is about what is right for Scotland and this is for the UK Cabinet, for Downing Street, for UK Labor to decide any process, any timeline and what happens next.”

Anas Sarwar called for the prime minister’s resignation, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves came out in support of Starmer.

“With Keir as our prime minister, we are turning the country around,” he said.

“Rebuilding Britain takes time. But thanks to the decisions we’ve made, NHS waiting lists are falling. Inflation is falling. Interest rates are falling.”

“There are necessary conditions for the economy to grow.

“With Keir as our Prime Minister, we are turning the country around.”

Anas Sarwar said he spoke to Sir Keir Starmer before giving his evidence this afternoon, but said: “It’s safe to say that he and I disagree.”

It came as the Scottish Labor leader insisted he did not support any alternative candidates, adding: “It is for the UK Cabinet, Downing Street and the UK Labor Party to decide any process of what happens next.”

Political Reporter Millie Cooke:

Anas Sarwar said “the leadership in Downing Street has become a huge distraction”, adding that the people of Scotland are “crying out for competent government, transparency, honesty and delivery”.

He said: “They want to see open and accountable politics. They want to see leaders who put national interests before themselves. That is the standard I will always apply.”