British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday ruled out resigning amid mounting pressure over.
The appointment of Peter Mandelson, telling staff at 10 Downing Street that his government continued to be guided by “public duty” and a shared sense of purpose. Starmer’s remarks came as he faces the most serious political crisis of his premiership, with opposition leaders and a section of Labour MPs calling for him to step down over the controversy linked to Mandelson’s alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Addressing Downing Street staff, Starmer said the episode had eroded public trust in politics. “The thing that makes me most angry is the undermining of the belief that politics can be a force for good and can change lives,” he said, referring to the fallout from revelations concerning Mandelson.
The prime minister reiterated his regret over the appointment. “I have been absolutely clear that I regret the decision that I made to appoint Peter Mandelson, and I have apologised to the victims, which is the right thing to do,” Starmer said.
He also paid tribute to his outgoing chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who resigned on Sunday after advising Starmer to make the controversial appointment. Describing McSweeney as both a colleague and a friend of eight years, Starmer said Labour’s transformation and eventual election victory would not have been possible without his contribution.
Starmer is now seeking to stabilise his leadership as he prepares to face angry lawmakers, with the Mandelson appointment triggering renewed calls for his resignation from opposition figures, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
The controversy has intensified following the release of fresh US Justice Department documents that revived scrutiny of Mandelson’s links to Epstein. Mandelson, who was sacked last year, is now under police investigation for alleged misconduct in public office. Starmer has accused him of lying during the vetting process and has reiterated his apology to Epstein’s victims.
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