In a dramatic escalation of political pressure, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has explicitly called for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign from office. This demand represents the most significant internal challenge to Sir Keir's leadership within the Labour Party, as Mr Sarwar stands as the highest-ranking party figure to publicly urge the Prime Minister to step down.
Sarwar's Public Declaration at Press Conference
Mr Sarwar made his forceful statement during a press conference, declaring that "the distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change." This direct intervention comes as Sir Keir Starmer battles to maintain his position at Number 10 following the controversy surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as British ambassador to Washington.
Mandelson-Epstein Scandal Undermines PM's Authority
The Prime Minister's fragile authority has been severely compromised by the revelation that Lord Mandelson's links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were known prior to his diplomatic appointment. This scandal has triggered a leadership crisis within the government, resulting in the resignation of key Downing Street staff members.
Sir Keir's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned on Sunday, followed by communications chief Tim Allan's departure on Monday. These high-profile exits have further weakened the Prime Minister's position and intensified calls for his resignation from within his own party.
Strategic Considerations for Scottish Labour
Mr Sarwar's intervention appears strategically timed, with Scottish Labour facing crucial Holyrood elections in May. As the most senior Labour politician to demand Sir Keir's resignation, the Scottish leader may be positioning his party to distance itself from the Westminster leadership crisis ahead of the Scottish parliamentary contest.
The Prime Minister and Mr Sarwar were photographed together at the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow during the Scottish Labour Party conference in February 2025, highlighting their previous working relationship. This makes Mr Sarwar's current demand for Sir Keir's resignation particularly significant, representing a major fracture within Labour's leadership structure.
The ongoing political turmoil continues to dominate Westminster, with the Prime Minister's future increasingly uncertain as pressure mounts from both within and outside his party. Mr Sarwar's public call for resignation marks a pivotal moment in this developing leadership crisis.
