Starmer Defies Resignation Calls After Mandelson Epstein Scandal

BREAKING: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing intense backlash after the sacking of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US due to revelations about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer, who expressed his anger over the situation, is under pressure from party backbenchers demanding his resignation but has firmly stated he will not step down.

Starmer dismissed Mandelson late last week after explosive email exchanges between the peer and Epstein were leaked. These emails revealed Mandelson advising Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before Epstein was sentenced to prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. Starmer publicly supported Mandelson during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, only to terminate his role the following day.

“I’m angry to have been put in that position,” Starmer told Channel 4 News. He acknowledged that if he had known the full extent of Mandelson’s correspondence with Epstein, he would never have appointed him. The fallout from this incident has already claimed the job of one of Starmer’s senior aides, Paul Ovenden, who resigned after derogatory remarks about MP Diane Abbott resurfaced.

The turmoil within Starmer’s administration is compounded by poor polling numbers for the Labour Party. Some backbenchers are expressing discontent, with Labour MP Andy McDonald stating, “morale is very low,” and calling for urgent changes in leadership. The discontent echoes across the party as questions mount about Starmer’s judgment in appointing Mandelson in the first place.

In contrast, David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister, defended Starmer, urging the party to stay the course amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. He emphasized, “It’s time for purpose,” indicating that despite the turbulence, stability is necessary for the future of the country.

The UK Foreign Affairs Committee is also demanding answers regarding Mandelson’s appointment, with Emily Thornberry, the Labour chairwoman, calling for urgent appearances from top civil servants involved in the decision. Both the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Cabinet Office have reportedly declined to appear before the committee before Parliament’s upcoming recess.

As the situation develops, the Labour Party will face a critical debate in the Commons on Tuesday regarding Mandelson’s controversial appointment, following an emergency request from Tory MP David Davis.

With the stakes high and public scrutiny intensifying, the Labour Party finds itself at a crossroads. As Starmer navigates this political upheaval, the implications of these events will resonate throughout the party and the wider political landscape in the UK.

Stay tuned for the latest updates as this story unfolds.