Sir Keir Starmer's defence at Prime Minister's Questions unravelled spectacularly today as he was forced into two major denials that have sent shockwaves through Westminster.
The Labour leader, under fierce pressure from Rishi Sunak, categorically stated he had never appointed Lord Mandelson to his team, directly contradicting the Tory leader's claims. In a second bombshell moment, Starmer claimed he had no knowledge of emails sent by a key associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A Disastrous Exchange at the Despatch Box
The Prime Minister launched a blistering attack on Starmer's judgment, questioning his association with the controversial former minister. "He's appointed Lord Mandelson to his team," Sunak declared to a charged House of Commons.
Starmer's immediate response—"I haven't appointed Peter Mandelson to anything"—was met with uproar from both sides of the chamber. The denial sets up a potentially damaging confrontation over the exact nature of Mandelson's role in shaping Labour's future direction.
The Epstein Connection Deepens
More damaging still was Starmer's admission regarding communications from Epstein associate Lord Ara Darzi. When questioned about whether he was aware that Darzi had emailed the convicted financier's office to arrange a meeting with Starmer, the Labour leader responded: "I didn't know about the email."
This revelation raises serious questions about Starmer's vetting processes and associations, particularly given his background as former Director of Public Prosecutions. The timing could hardly be worse for the opposition leader, who has sought to position himself as a figure of integrity and competence.
Fallout and Political Implications
Political analysts are describing today's performance as one of Starmer's most difficult since becoming Labour leader. The dual revelations have:
- Damaged his credibility on appointments and associations
- Raised questions about transparency within his team
- Provided ammunition to critics questioning his judgment
- Overshadowed Labour's attempts to attack government policy
Westminster insiders suggest the episode will have lasting repercussions, with Starmer's team likely facing intense scrutiny over their connections and communication practices in the coming days.
