STORY
Senior Cabinet ministers have publicly backed Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on him to resign, deepening the crisis over the fallout from the controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein. Sarwar, speaking in Glasgow, said the “distraction” of successive rows was damaging Labour and argued that a change of leadership was now needed, becoming the most senior figure within the party to urge Starmer to step aside.
Within hours, ministers moved to rally round the Prime Minister, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Housing Minister Steve Reed among those stressing the need to focus on the government’s agenda and arguing Labour should “stay the course”. Other senior figures, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, also signalled support, as Downing Street insisted Starmer had a mandate to deliver his programme and intended to continue.
The pressure on Starmer has intensified after resignations among key aides and renewed political attacks linked to Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the United States, a decision Starmer has acknowledged was a mistake. The controversy has reopened internal divisions, with critics claiming the issue has become a persistent drag on Labour’s credibility, while supporters argue that replacing a prime minister mid-mandate would hand opponents an easy victory and stall the government’s priorities.