Scottish Labour Leader to Demand Prime Minister's Resignation
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is poised to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, marking a significant escalation in the political turmoil engulfing the Labour government. Mr Sarwar has scheduled a press conference in Glasgow for 2:30pm, where he is expected to publicly demand that Sir Keir step down over the ongoing fallout from the Lord Mandelson scandal.
Downing Street in Crisis as Key Aides Depart
The prime minister's office has been rocked by a series of high-profile resignations, compounding the pressure on Sir Keir's leadership. On Monday, Downing Street communications chief Tim Allan announced his departure, stating he wished to allow a new No 10 team to be assembled. This followed Sunday's resignation of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who quit over his involvement in the controversial appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.
Despite these setbacks, Sir Keir's official spokesman insisted the prime minister remains "upbeat" and "confident," emphasising that he is "concentrating on the job in hand" and has no intention of resigning. The spokesman dismissed weekend reports suggesting Sir Keir had been remorseful and uncertain about his political future, asserting that the prime minister appeared determined during a morning address to staff.
Growing Criticism Over Mandelson Appointment
The crisis stems from Sir Keir's decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, despite being aware that the former peer maintained a relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's conviction for child sex offences. This revelation has sparked fury across the political spectrum, with figures from within Labour and opposition parties questioning the prime minister's judgement.
Mr Sarwar had previously criticised the appointment, stating Lord Mandelson "should never even have been considered" for the role. His impending call for resignation represents a major intervention that could prove decisive for Sir Keir's premiership, which has been plagued by declining polling ratings over his 16 months in power.
Political Reactions and Leadership Speculation
The Conservative Party has seized on the turmoil, with deputy chairman Matt Vickers declaring "the rats are abandoning the sinking ship that is Keir Starmer's premiership." SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn echoed calls for resignation, labelling Sir Keir a "lame duck leader" who should "do the decent thing and resign."
However, not all voices within Labour are calling for change. Former home secretary Alan Johnson warned that forcing Sir Keir out would make the country "an international laughing stock," particularly given his substantial electoral mandate. Mr Johnson argued there is no credible alternative, dismissing both health secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner as potential successors.
Uncertainty Over Prime Minister's Knowledge
Questions have emerged about what Sir Keir knew regarding Mr Allan's resignation. Downing Street declined to confirm whether the prime minister was aware of the communications director's plans when he delivered his rallying speech to staff on Monday morning, during which he paid tribute to Mr McSweeney but made no mention of Mr Allan's impending departure.
This leadership crisis comes at a critical juncture for Sir Keir, who faces mounting pressure from mutinous Labour MPs unhappy with his handling of the Mandelson affair. With key aides departing and senior figures publicly questioning his judgement, the prime minister's political survival hangs in the balance as he prepares to confront his parliamentary party in what promises to be a decisive 48 hours for his government.
