In a defiant stand against swirling resignation demands, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is doubling down on his leadership amid the explosive Epstein-Mandelson controversy. His team portrays a leader undeterred, eyes fixed on national priorities.
‘He’s focused on the job of bringing change to every corner of the country,’ a spokesperson told reporters, just after the shock exits of his chief of staff and communications head. These resignations have intensified scrutiny on Starmer’s decision to tap Peter Mandelson for the US envoy post.
Mandelson, a Labour heavyweight, maintained links with Jeffrey Epstein even post-2008 conviction for sex crimes. Starmer’s awareness of this history has opposition leaders baying for blood, questioning the PM’s vetting process after 19 months in power.
Sources close to the matter, via BBC, describe Starmer as upbeat post-staff briefing. Rumors of him mulling a handover over the weekend were shot down: ‘That’s not the man we saw addressing the team today.’
Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, pivotal in Labour’s triumphant 2024 campaign, stepped down Sunday. He candidly admitted the appointment was ‘wrong,’ owning the fallout that harms party, country, and polity, and resigned accordingly.
Compounding issues, the Foreign Office is scrutinizing Mandelson’s severance package. This follows Starmer’s own move last September to remove him from the role citing Epstein ties.
Starmer exudes confidence with full Cabinet support, his spokesperson affirmed. Yet, with aides jumping ship and probes underway, the Labour government navigates choppy waters. Will Starmer’s resolve hold, or signal deeper cracks in his inner circle?