Starmer Issues Apology as Mandelson Scandal Deepens
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a public apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson, a close associate of the convicted child sex offender, as US ambassador. The apology comes amid mounting pressure within the Labour Party and growing calls for the removal of Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
Downing Street Defies Calls for McSweeney's Dismissal
Despite warnings from Labour backbenchers that McSweeney's continued presence in Number 10 would render Starmer's position "untenable", Downing Street officials have insisted that the prime minister retains full confidence in his most senior aide. The defiance follows a chaotic Commons deal to release vetting papers related to Mandelson's appointment, which has left many Labour MPs in a state of mutiny.
One Labour MP expressed the growing sentiment, stating: "People want [McSweeney] to go, more than ever before. The current situation is unsustainable." Karl Turner, the Hull East MP and a vocal critic of the current Number 10 operation, echoed this view, warning that McSweeney's survival would compromise the prime minister's authority.
Starmer's Emotional Apology to Epstein Victims
In a speech delivered in Hastings, ostensibly focused on community values but dominated by the fallout from the Mandelson appointment, Starmer offered a heartfelt apology. He acknowledged the profound trauma experienced by Epstein's victims, stating: "I want to say this. I am sorry – sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed, sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies and appointed him, and sorry that even now you're forced to watch this story unfold in public once again."
When pressed on why he approved Mandelson's appointment despite public knowledge of his post-prison links to Epstein, Starmer avoided a direct answer. Instead, he cited alleged lies by Mandelson and emphasised the need to review vetting procedures.
Document Release Delays Fuel Frustration
The delay in releasing documents related to Mandelson's vetting has sparked increasing frustration among ministers. No papers are expected until next week at the earliest, with officials unable to confirm the volume of messages and files involved. Concerns are mounting that the process could extend for several weeks.
Starmer had initially planned to release the documents on Wednesday, but was delayed by a warning from the Metropolitan Police. The police expressed concerns that some information could impact their investigation into whether Mandelson leaked market-sensitive information during his ministerial tenure.
Parliamentary Committee to Oversee Document Release
Under a compromise reached in the Commons, the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) will assume responsibility for deciding which documents should be withheld or redacted, rather than the government. In a letter to Starmer, the ISC's chair and deputy chair requested that any sensitive material be provided to them in full, with the committee determining what should remain unpublished.
The ISC has indicated that it cannot estimate the timeline for its task until it receives the documents. Downing Street claims to have "begun discussions with the ISC about the process for releasing these documents," but the committee disputes this, asserting that it is acting on the Commons' instructions rather than Number 10's directives.
Leadership Speculation Intensifies
The vacuum of new information is exacerbating speculation about Starmer's future. UK long-term borrowing costs reached their highest level since the budget on Thursday, as traders reacted to the possibility of a change in leadership at Number 10.
Opposition parties have called for a no-confidence vote in the prime minister, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey raising the issue publicly. Meanwhile, Starmer has urged his MPs to focus on key messages such as the cost of living, rather than internal party disputes.
Calls for a Reset in Number 10
Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader, has advised Starmer to "stop blaming Mandelson", take personal responsibility for the appointment, and undertake a comprehensive reset of his Number 10 team. She warned that while his downfall is not inevitable, it will become unavoidable unless he takes necessary action.
As the scandal continues to unfold, the pressure on Starmer's leadership shows no signs of abating, with the Mandelson appointment casting a long shadow over his premiership.
