Starmer Confronts Labour Rebellion Over Mandelson Appointment Scandal
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is "taking responsibility" for the controversial appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, a senior minister has insisted, as the Labour leader prepares to face mutinous MPs in a critical fight for his political survival. The assertion comes in the wake of the resignation of Sir Keir's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who stepped down on Sunday, citing full responsibility for advising the Prime Minister on what he called the "wrong" decision.
Minister Defends Starmer Amid Mounting Criticism
Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith staunchly defended Sir Keir during a Monday morning media round, rejecting reports that the Prime Minister is considering resignation. She emphasised that Sir Keir is determined to continue with his agenda for change, despite the escalating crisis. "The Prime Minister is taking responsibility. He took responsibility for the decision that was made about Peter Mandelson," Baroness Smith told Times Radio, while shifting blame onto Lord Mandelson for "consistent lying and engagement with Jeffrey Epstein."
However, scrutiny of Sir Keir's judgment is intensifying, with critics, including some within his own party, highlighting that he made the final appointment decision. The controversy stems from Lord Mandelson's links to financier Jeffrey Epstein, which continued after Epstein's conviction for child sex offences, a fact Sir Keir was aware of during the vetting process.
Opposition and Internal Pressure Mount
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of allowing his former chief of staff to "carry the can" for a decision he ultimately made. "Advisers advise, leaders decide. He made a bad decision, he should take responsibility for that," she stated on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, arguing that Sir Keir's position has become untenable given his promise of a "whiter than white" government.
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney echoed this sentiment, telling BBC Radio Scotland that Sir Keir's handling of the situation demonstrates "complete weakness as Prime Minister." Meanwhile, pressure from within the Labour Party is growing, with left-wing MPs such as Brian Leishman, Ian Byrne, and Kim Johnson suggesting Sir Keir should consider following Mr McSweeney out the door.
Resignation and Government Response
Mr McSweeney's resignation was described as a mutual decision with Sir Keir, aimed at moving forward from the scandal. In a statement, Sir Keir credited his longtime adviser's "dedication, loyalty and leadership" for Labour's 2024 general election victory, though he notably omitted any mention of the Mandelson fiasco. Mr McSweeney's deputies, Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, have been appointed as joint acting chiefs of staff.
Despite the turmoil, Downing Street remains defiant, insisting that the government's policy agenda and economic strategy remain unchanged. Sir Keir is expected to address the Parliamentary Labour Party later, with plans to speak to the women's PLP after Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday and make on-camera interventions this week.
Document Release and Vetting Scrutiny
The pressure on Sir Keir's premiership is unlikely to ease as the government prepares to release tens of thousands of emails, messages, and documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment. Sir Keir believes these files will prove that the former Labour grandee lied about the extent of his ties to Epstein during vetting. According to The Guardian, a well-placed source indicated that the Cabinet Office had warned about the grave reputational risk of the ambassadorship appointment.
Sir Keir and Mr McSweeney have pinned blame on the security services' vetting process for failing to disprove Lord Mandelson's claims of minimal acquaintance with Epstein, which were later debunked by disclosures in the so-called Epstein files. Officials have been tasked with examining this process as a priority.
Internal Labour Divisions and Calls for Unity
Senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry insisted that Sir Keir is a "good leader" but urged him to "step up a bit more than he has" to ensure clear leadership. "We need to be united and we need to know where we're going," she told the Today programme, highlighting the need for a reset within the party.
Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell described Mr McSweeney's departure as "a start" but called on Sir Keir to "turn away from the factionalism" associated with his former aide. Union leaders have also heaped pressure on the Labour leader, with Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright calling for his resignation, and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust urging a new leader ahead of critical elections.
In contrast, Starmer ally John Slinger warned against "leadership speculations," and Labour grandee Lord Blunkett cautioned against "a party acting like ferrets in a sack." As the crisis unfolds, Sir Keir's ability to navigate this rebellion and restore confidence in his leadership will be crucial for the stability of his government.
