UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a deepening crisis after two key aides resigned amid revelations about Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, quit, taking responsibility for advising the prime minister to appoint Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. McSweeney stated that the decision was wrong and had damaged the party, country, and trust in politics. Tim Allan, Starmer’s communications director, also resigned to allow a new team to be built.
The scandal has sparked calls for Starmer’s resignation, with Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, saying the “distraction needs to end, and the leadership in Downing Street has to change”. Starmer has apologized for believing Mandelson’s lies and vowed to release documents related to the appointment, but critics question his judgment and ability to govern. The crisis has also led to speculation about potential replacements for Starmer, including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
