London, United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalled he would not resign after a second aide stepped down amid a crisis over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The situation intensified after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for Starmer to quit.
Pressure over Mandelson appointment
Starmer has faced pressure over the appointment of Mandelson, whose close ties to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have come under renewed scrutiny. Starmer has sought to change the narrative but continued to face questions about his judgment and ability to govern.
Second senior aide resigns
The resignation of communications chief Tim Allan followed the exit of Starmer’s closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, who said he took responsibility for advising on Mandelson’s appointment to Britain’s top diplomatic role in the United States.
Starmer addresses Downing Street staff
Earlier on Monday, Starmer addressed staff at his Downing Street office, urging unity and expressing regret over the appointment. “We must prove that politics can be a force for good,” he said, describing McSweeney as “a friend” who helped change the Labour Party and win the 2024 national election with one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British history.
“I believe it can. I believe it is. We go forward from here. We go with confidence as we continue changing the country,” Starmer said.
Sarwar calls for leadership change
Sarwar, speaking in Scotland where Labour has seen its support slump since the 2024 election, said he was calling for a change of leader in London. “The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change,” he told a press conference.
Downing Street response
A Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer had “a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do”.
What do you think Starmer should do next to address concerns over the Mandelson appointment?
