In a dramatic defence of the prime minister, Housing Secretary Steve Reed has declared that Peter Mandelson "conned everybody" including Sir Keir Starmer regarding his ongoing relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The comments come after fierce criticism in the House of Commons last night over the escalating political scandal.
Reed's Media Defence of Starmer
Steve Reed, a noted Starmer loyalist, appeared on Sky News this morning to defend the prime minister's handling of the situation. He insisted that Mandelson was solely responsible for the deception, stating: "The person at fault here is not the prime minister or his team. 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."
Reed emphasised Starmer's decisive action, noting: "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 Mandelson at 5am in the morning as US ambassador months ago."
Labour MPs Warn of Leadership Threat
The defence comes amid growing unrest within Labour ranks, with multiple MPs warning last night that Starmer's leadership could be under threat. The government narrowly avoided defeat in the Commons following a mid-debate amendment brokered by Meg Hillier and Angela Rayner.
This amendment forces the release of documents concerning Mandelson's appointment and the full extent of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender. MPs believe the eventual publication of these documents could trigger a leadership challenge against Starmer.
Growing Discontent Among Labour Ranks
One Labour MP stated: "We need all the poison to come out," highlighting the party's desire for full transparency. The documents' release may be delayed by an ongoing police investigation into Mandelson's conduct.
A former minister expressed the deepening crisis: "We've had a lot of bad days recently, but this is the worst yet, I think." Another MP warned about eroding trust: "Trust is finite. I'm personally not sure I could trust myself to back the prime minister in a confidence vote."
Perhaps most concerning for Starmer's team is discontent among traditionally loyal members. An MP from the 2024 intake observed: "The most terminal mood is among the super-loyal," suggesting the prime minister's core support may be weakening.
