Keir Starmer is at risk of being blown away by the Mandelson scandal today – with his only hope that rivals are not ready to administer the coup de gras.
The PM has been warned the ‘clock is ticking’ on his leadership with even loyalists saying he is effectively finished.
In an extraordinary Commons moment yesterday, Sir Keir admitted that he appointed Lord Mandelson as US ambassador despite knowing he stayed friends with Jeffrey Epstein after the financier was jailed.
The premier insisted details of the New Labour architect’s vetting process would need to be withheld for ‘national security’ and ‘international relations’ reasons.
But within hours the government was forced to U-turn by furious Labour MPs – including his former deputy Angela Rayner – threatening to vote for a Tory disclosure motion.
The cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee will now decide what material is released, with the chair warning ’embarrassment’ is not enough for evidence to be suppressed.
Keir Starmer has been warned the ‘clock is ticking’ on his leadership with even loyalists saying he is effectively finished
In an extraordinary Commons moment yesterday, Sir Keir admitted that he appointed Lord Mandelson as US ambassador despite knowing he stayed friends with Jeffrey Epstein (pictured together) after the financier was jailed
The tranche of documents released by the US includes a confidential No10 email seemingly sent on by Lord Mandelson to Epstein at the height of the Credit Crunch, talking about the UK government having ‘saleable’ assets
Downing Street sources played down the prospects of papers being released today, although it is still possible.
Even normally local Labour MPs have questioned how long Sir Keir can hang on with his authority in tatters.
Senior MPs warned the situation will ‘not end well’ for Sir Keir and the ‘clock is ticking’, while ex-Cabinet minister Lord Hutton suggested his time in power is coming to a close.
There are growing demands for chief aide Morgan McSweeney to be axed over the Mandelson debacle – which ignited again after the US release of millions of Epstein emails showing the depth of their relationship.
However, Sir Keir is said to recognise that his own fate is tied to that of his closest adviser. He voiced ‘confidence’ in Mr McSweeney yesterday, and Housing Secretary Steve Reed said ‘of course’ the aide will stay in post.
Allies will also take solace from the difficulties facing potential replacements. Ms Rayner has huge support on the Labour benches, but is not thought to have settled her tax issues with HMRC after being forced to resign in September.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is widely regarded as on manoeuvres, but was previously close to Lord Mandelson.
Another oft-touted contender, Andy Burnham, was blocked by Sir Keir from standing in the Gorton & Denton by-election and so does not have the immediate platform to mount a challenge.
Some MPs have been talking up the credentials of defence minister Al Cairns, although he has only been in Parliament since 2024.
Ed Miliband would also be in the frame as a replacement should Sir Keir be engulfed imminently, but has insisted he does not want the job.
Rumours of ministerial resignations to enforce the PM’s departure have also yet to come to pass.
Labour rules require one candidate to get nominations from 80 MPs in order to mount a challenge.
One senior Labour source told the Daily Mail: ‘Would any credible challenger go before the by election or before May? That’s not tempting.’
Sir Keir will try to move on from the Mandelson furore with a speech about the government’s domestic policies in the South East this morning, but the topic is certain to dominate questions.
Sent out to try to calm MPs this morning, Mr Reed told Sky News: ‘The person at fault here is not the Prime Minister or his team.
The government was forced to U-turn by furious Labour MPs – including his former deputy Angela Rayner- threatening to vote for a Tory disclosure motion
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is widely regarded as on manoeuvres, but was previously close to Lord Mandelson
Another oft-touted contender, Andy Burnham, was blocked by Sir Keir from standing in the Gorton & Denton by-election and so does not have the immediate platform to mount a challenge
‘It is Peter Mandelson who lied, manipulated and deceived everybody, including the media, actually, because he was on the media an awful lot as well. He conned everybody.
‘What matters is what you do when you find out what’s gone wrong. And the Prime Minister couldn’t have been more decisive. He sacked Peter Manson at 5am in the morning as US ambassador months ago.’
Mr Reed said he felt like he had ‘been punched in the stomach’ when he found out about Lord Mandelson’s dealings with Epstein from the documents released by US authorities.
Lord Mandelson has denied the documents show he broke any laws or acted for personal gain. He has repeatedly said he regrets his friendship with Epstein.
