Starmer Admits Mandelson Error, Faces Resignation Calls

Starmer blamed Foreign Office officials for failing to inform him about the security concerns, stating he would have withdrawn the appointment if he had known the truth. He apologized to Epstein's victims and took responsibility for the decision, having fired Mandelson in September, nine months into the job, after new details emerged.

Starmer denies misleading Parliament, a resigning offense, despite previously stating "due process" was followed. Opposition leaders, including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, criticized Starmer's judgment, with Badenoch accusing him of "throwing his staff and his officials under the bus." The scandal compounds Starmer's struggles since Labour's July 2024 election victory, following unheeded warnings about Mandelson's "reputational risk" due to Epstein ties and business links to Russia and China.

Mandelson was arrested in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office after U.S. Department of Justice documents suggested he passed sensitive government information to Epstein in 2009. Starmer has ordered a review, but many questions remain.

Labour lawmakers are "restive" ahead of local and regional elections on May 7, which could further challenge Starmer's leadership.