Starmer Ally Admits Prime Minister Must Take Responsibility as Mandelson Scandal Intensifies
Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a key ally has publicly admitted that he must take responsibility for the escalating scandal surrounding the appointment and subsequent dismissal of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. The controversy has plunged Starmer's leadership into deep jeopardy, with a new poll indicating that a majority of voters believe he should resign.
Exit Payment Under Review and Calls for Charity Donation
Lord Mandelson is facing demands to return a five-figure exit payment he received after being sacked from his diplomatic post. According to reports, the payment is estimated to be between £38,750 and £55,000 before tax, equivalent to three months of his salary. The Foreign Office has confirmed that the payout is now under review, having been agreed upon initially in accordance with civil service terms.
Welfare Secretary Pat McFadden, a Starmer ally, has suggested that Lord Mandelson should give the money back and donate it to a violence against women and girls charity. McFadden stated that while the Prime Minister acted in good faith, he is horrified by the situation and has issued an apology to victims. McFadden emphasized that the real person who could have prevented this was Mandelson himself.
Conservative Calls for No-Confidence Vote and Criticism of Judgment
The Conservative Party has called for a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Starmer, arguing that he lacked due diligence in appointing Lord Mandelson. Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart highlighted Mandelson's previous exits from Cabinet, alleged business dealings in Russia and China, and his ongoing relationship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein as clear evidence against the appointment.
Burghart described the scandal as the worst political scandal of my lifetime, asserting that it has destroyed trust in the Prime Minister's judgment. He called for a new type of politics, endorsing Kemi Badenoch as a leader embodying honesty and decency.
Internal Labour Criticism and Calls for Staff Changes
Within Labour, former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett has called for the sacking of Keir Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who is a protégé of Mandelson and advocated for his appointment. Blunkett warned that Starmer needs a new chief of staff to open up communication channels and hear diverse perspectives, urging the party to stop internal briefings and unite.
Labour peer Maurice Glasman revealed that he advised against Mandelson's appointment, warning No 10 about the scale of risk due to Mandelson's connections with Epstein, which he described as a massive issue in the United States. Glasman stated that he did not believe the UK understood the resonance of the story at the time.
Government Review and Parliamentary Scrutiny
A Foreign Office spokesperson stated that Mandelson's employment was terminated based on legal advice and normal civil service HR processes. Further information will be provided to Parliament as part of the government's response to a motion passed last week, coordinated by the Cabinet Office.
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns has questioned the government on the reasons for Mandelson's payoff, suggesting that if he was fired for misconduct, contractual payments should be null and void. She reported initial delays in receiving a response, with her letter being mislaid.
Historical Context and Broader Implications
The scandal has echoes of past controversies, including a staff member forced to resign in 1999 for allegedly leaking details about Mandelson. Meanwhile, in other news, Jeremy Corbyn addressed a conference in Scotland, stating that an independence referendum should be Scotland's choice, not determined by Westminster.
As the scandal unfolds, it highlights broader issues of accountability and judgment in British politics, with Starmer's leadership facing unprecedented pressure amid calls for transparency and reform.
