Gordon Brown Issues Stark Warning Over Keir Starmer's Leadership Crisis
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has declared the situation facing Sir Keir Starmer as "serious" and suggested the Labour leader has been "too slow to do the right things" in response to the escalating Peter Mandelson scandal. Brown's intervention comes as pressure mounts on Starmer from within his own party, with some MPs calling his position "irredeemable."
Brown Expresses Personal Betrayal Over Mandelson's Actions
In a revealing interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Brown admitted feeling "shocked, sad, angry, betrayed, let down" upon seeing messages between Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein that were released by the US Department of Justice. The former Labour leader expressed regret over giving Mandelson his peerage and bringing him back into government during the 2008 financial crisis.
"This is obviously serious," Brown told the BBC. "The task is we've got to clean up the system, a total clean-up of the system, an end to the corruption and unethical behaviour. And if we don't do it, we'll pay a heavy price."
Police Investigation Into Mandelson Intensifies
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers from their central specialist crime team have conducted searches at two addresses linked to Lord Mandelson - one in the Wiltshire area and another in Camden, London. The investigation focuses on alleged misconduct in public office offences involving the 72-year-old former business secretary.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart stated: "This will be a complex investigation requiring a significant amount of further evidence gathering and analysis. It will take some time to do this work comprehensively and we will not be providing a running commentary."
Scotland Yard launched the investigation following allegations that Mandelson sent market-sensitive information to the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown's government.
Starmer's Position Under Threat Over Appointment Decision
Sir Keir Starmer's leadership faces jeopardy due to his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, despite knowing about Mandelson's continued friendship with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Brown defended Starmer as a "man of integrity" who had been "betrayed" by Mandelson, but acknowledged the Labour leader might have been too slow in addressing the situation. "Perhaps he's been too slow to do the right things, but he must do the right things now," Brown urged.
Growing Internal Labour Pressure on Starmer
Pressure from within Labour ranks continues to intensify, with left-wing MP Kim Johnson declaring Starmer's position "irredeemable." Johnson told Times Radio: "I'm sorry, I must have to say that I think his position at this moment in time is irredeemable. I'm sad to say."
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, a prominent figure on the party's left, called for a "thorough cleansing process" to expose the influence of Mandelson and other wealthy individuals. McDonnell criticized Starmer as "a leader who in denial looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights" while potential successors fight "like rats in a sack."
Revelations About Internal Warnings
The Times reported that Sir Keir's former deputy Angela Rayner, who left government last year following a controversy over stamp duty payments, had warned Starmer against appointing Mandelson as US ambassador due to his Epstein links. Rayner is widely viewed as a potential successor to Starmer, though she reportedly does not want to launch a direct challenge against the Prime Minister.
Calls for Systemic Reform and Further Investigations
Gordon Brown suggested implementing US-style confirmation hearings for new government ministers and senior appointments, arguing that the current vetting system represents a "systemic failure." He emphasized that Mandelson's alleged lies during his appointment process provided "not sufficient explanation for what happened."
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate whether Mandelson or those he allegedly leaked information to profited from access to market-sensitive material. In a letter to the City watchdog, Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper stated: "He and others must face criminal prosecution if they are found to have abused trading laws for financial benefit."
As the police investigation continues and internal Labour pressure mounts, Starmer faces what Gordon Brown described as a critical test of leadership that will determine both his political future and the party's credibility with voters.
