Gordon Brown Warns of 'Serious' Leadership Crisis for Starmer Amid Mandelson Scandal
Gordon Brown has declared that the leadership crisis facing Prime Minister Keir Starmer is "serious" and that the current leader has been "too slow to do the right things" in response to the escalating scandal involving Lord Peter Mandelson. The former Labour Prime Minister made these remarks during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, as police continue their investigation into alleged misconduct in a public office related to Mandelson's association with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Police Investigation Intensifies
Law enforcement officers are currently sifting through multiple boxes of evidence removed from Lord Mandelson's various addresses. The investigation focuses on accusations that the peer engaged in misconduct while serving as business secretary during Gordon Brown's government, specifically regarding the transmission of market-sensitive information to Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis.
Scotland Yard has confirmed that inquiries remain ongoing, examining whether Mandelson violated trading laws by sharing confidential government information. The Liberal Democrats have now formally requested that the Financial Conduct Authority launch a parallel investigation into these financial allegations.
Brown's Assessment of Starmer's Leadership
When questioned about Starmer's political future, Brown responded: "This is obviously serious. I mean, there's always speculation. It happened to me, it happened to Tony Blair. It happens to everybody about how their future should be gauged. But this is serious, and the task is very clear."
The former Prime Minister praised Starmer as a "man of integrity" who had been "betrayed" by Lord Mandelson, but emphasized that the current PM must act decisively to address systemic failures. "Perhaps he's been too slow to do the right things, but he must do the right things now," Brown stated, adding that the public should judge Starmer based on his actions in the coming months.
Systemic Failures and Calls for Reform
Brown highlighted what he described as fundamental flaws in the government's vetting and appointment processes. He argued that Mandelson's alleged dishonesty during his appointment as US ambassador represented "not sufficient explanation for what happened" and pointed to broader institutional problems.
"There is a systemic failure to do proper vetting, to go through the proper procedures and to actually have, in my view, what should be public hearings for anybody who is going to be in a senior position representing the British government," Brown asserted.
The former leader expressed personal regret over bringing Mandelson back into government in 2008 and granting him a peerage, describing feelings of "shocked, sad, angry, betrayed, let down" upon reviewing Epstein-related messages released by the US Department of Justice.
Political Pressure Mounts
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has formally urged the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate whether Mandelson or his associates profited from accessing confidential market information. In her letter to the regulatory body, Cooper emphasized: "It is crucial that Mandelson is investigated to see if he or those he leaked information to profited from access to this market sensitive and confidential material. He and others must face criminal prosecution if they are found to have abused trading laws for financial benefit."
Brown concluded with a stark warning about the consequences of inaction: "The task is we've got to clean up the system, a total clean-up of the system, an end to the corruption and unethical behaviour. And if we don't do it, we'll pay a heavy price." As the investigation progresses, the political fallout continues to threaten the stability of Starmer's government.
