British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rebuffs calls for his resignation triggered by his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Mandelson had close ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite resignations of close aides and criticism from within his party, Starmer receives backing from cabinet members.
The Epstein scandal has plunged the British government into a deep crisis. Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Peter Mandelson, a close friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as US ambassador in 2024—shortly after US President Donald Trump's inauguration. Released files show Mandelson maintained contact despite Epstein's 2008 conviction and possibly leaked confidential information, including cabinet internals and market-relevant data from the financial crisis under Gordon Brown.
Starmer dismissed Mandelson in September 2024. The revelations prompted resignations: Chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who advised the appointment and took full responsibility, along with communications chief Tim Allan stepped down. The opposition and parts of the Labour Party, including Scotland's Labour leader Anas Sarwar, demand Starmer's resignation. "The leadership at Downing Street must be replaced," Sarwar said in Glasgow. There have been "too many mistakes."
Starmer rejects the demands: "I am not prepared to give up my mandate," he stated at a meeting with MPs. His spokesperson emphasized a "clear mandate for five years." In a speech to Labour members, Starmer received applause. Ministers like deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper rallied behind him. Lammy tweeted: "We should allow nothing to distract us from our mission." Cooper highlighted Starmer's leadership on the global stage.
Starmer apologized for believing Mandelson's "lies" and promised to release documents on the appointment proving Mandelson's deception. Police are investigating Mandelson for misconduct. He left the Labour Party and relinquished his House of Lords seat. This is the biggest crisis in Starmer's 19-month tenure since July 2024.
