British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalled on Monday that he will not step down despite mounting pressure inside his party, after a second senior aide resigned over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States.
Downing Street’s communications chief Tim Allan said he was resigning to allow a new team to be built around the prime minister. His departure came one day after Starmer’s closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, stepped down amid growing backlash over Mandelson’s reported ties to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Epstein-related revelations have raised serious questions about Starmer’s judgement and his ability to maintain control of his government.
Speaking to staff at his Downing Street office on Monday, Starmer again expressed regret over Mandelson’s appointment and urged his team to remain focused.
“We must prove that politics can be a force for good,” Starmer said, praising McSweeney as a “friend” who helped transform the Labour Party and deliver a landslide victory in the 2024 national election.
“I believe it can. I believe it is. We go forward from here. We go with confidence as we continue changing the country,” he added.
A spokesperson later told reporters Starmer had no plans to step aside and remained focused on governing. Allan’s resignation was confirmed after the staff meeting.
The pressure showed no signs of easing. The Times newspaper reported that Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, was expected to publicly call for Starmer to resign during a press conference later on Monday.
Labour in Scotland has seen support fall sharply since the 2024 election, with some polls placing it behind the Scottish National Party and the right-wing Reform UK.
A Labour lawmaker, speaking anonymously, described the situation as “painful,” comparing it to “watching a fatal car crash in slow motion.”
Britain’s government borrowing costs rose, reflecting investor concern that a more left-wing Labour figure could replace Starmer and pursue heavier borrowing and spending.
Starmer had hoped the resignation of McSweeney would allow him to reset the government’s agenda and refocus on tackling the cost-of-living crisis and boosting the economy — priorities his administration has struggled to keep in the public spotlight.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of being unable to run his government.
“He’s like a plastic bag blowing in the wind. We need him to get a grip,” she told Sky News, adding that Labour should consider replacing him or calling an election.
The latest controversy stems from Mandelson, who was removed as ambassador in September. The scandal intensified after files released by the U.S. Justice Department last month reportedly included emails suggesting Mandelson leaked discussions about potential UK asset sales and tax changes to Epstein during the global financial crisis.
Mandelson has not publicly responded to the allegations and did not reply to requests for comment.
Mandelson is now under police investigation for alleged misconduct in office.
Starmer is expected to meet Labour lawmakers later on Monday in an effort to calm internal anger over the handling of Mandelson’s appointment and silence calls for him to quit.
“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,” Starmer told staff.
“I have been absolutely clear that I regret the decision that I made to appoint Peter Mandelson. And I’ve apologised to the victims, which is the right thing to do.”