Downing Street has firmly stated that Sir Keir Starmer will remain Prime Minister beyond the current Parliament, despite mounting pressure over the Lord Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. The Prime Minister has faced calls to resign after controversy erupted over his handling of Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US, including the sacking of Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins.
No 10 Dismisses Resignation Speculation
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "He's very focused on the job. I refer you back to his previous language that he will continue to lead the Government throughout this Parliament and beyond. He's got a huge amount of work to do. We're in the middle of a global conflict, the like of which we've not seen for years."
Sir Keir has maintained that he has been exonerated over accusations he misled MPs, citing evidence from Sir Olly Robbins, whom he sacked last week. He accused opponents of making politically motivated allegations.
Backbench Pressure Mounts
Adding to the pressure, Jo White, chair of the Red Wall group of Labour MPs, described the Mandelson appointment as the "biggest mistake of his life" and called for the Government to "cleanse" itself of the problems stemming from the vetting scandal. Former top civil servant Philip Rycroft said the Prime Minister must "carry the can" for his risky choice.
"The Prime Minister took a risk in appointing a man who everybody knew had baggage… That risk has backfired on him badly. But it was he who took that decision originally, and he has to carry the can for that," Rycroft told Times Radio. He praised Sir Olly as an "absolutely dedicated public servant" and noted the strained relationship between ministers and the civil service.
Starmer Defends His Position
During a visit to Newcastle on Thursday, Sir Keir was asked if he had considered resigning. He responded: "Last week, my political opponents were saying that there's no way a civil servant wouldn't have told me about the outcome of a developed vetting security exercise. Turns out my political opponents were completely wrong about that. Then they said that I was dishonest. It turns out they were completely wrong about that. They are now putting any allegation they can and I will tell you for why – they are opposed politically to what this Government is trying to achieve."
McSweeney Denies Bullying Claims
Sir Keir's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, denied allegations that he bullied civil servants into appointing Lord Mandelson. Speaking at a security forum in Kyiv, he said: "I find it strange reading about a character with the same name as mine sometimes. I don't recognise that character."
Ian Collard, head of the Foreign Office estates, security and network directorate, has been asked to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry wrote to the Foreign Secretary insisting on his appearance, noting that he and Sir Olly were potentially the only people in the meeting where Mandelson's security vetting was discussed.
European Anti-Fraud Office Investigates Mandelson
The European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) confirmed it has opened an inquiry into Lord Mandelson, though it declined to provide further details. The European Commission referred Mandelson to Olaf in February after the release of his communications with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson served as EU trade commissioner between 2004 and 2008 before returning to the UK government as business secretary.
