The Epstein files cause an earthquake in London. Why more Labor say Prime Minister Keir Starmer's days are numbered

Keir Starmer's decision to appoint veteran Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, despite his links to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein, now puts the prime minister in deep trouble, who appears to have lost control of the party, Reuters and The Guardian write.

Several Labor MPs have warned that Keir Starmer's days as prime minister are numbered, amid furor over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite his friendship with sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein, writes The Guardian.

Starmer bowed to pressure from the opposition Conservative Party to release documents relating to Mandelson's appointment after facing a revolt within his own Labor party.

Mandelson, a minister in the Labor government that has been in power for more than 15 years, resigned from the House of Lords on Tuesday over his links to Epstein and is now being investigated by police for alleged abuse of office.

The files released last week by the US Department of Justice include emails suggesting that Mandelson provided Epstein with government documents and that Epstein recorded payments to Mandelson or his then-partner, now her husband, Reuters writes.

Starmer appointed Mandelson to the ambassador post, arguing that his professional experience in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and as European trade commissioner made him the ideal person to manage relations with Washington under the presidency of Donald Trump.

Starmer sacked Mandelson in September after seven months in the job when documents emerged showing he had remained close to Epstein after the financier was convicted in 2008 of child sex offences.

“All the venom must come out”

British MPs said the possible release of the documents – which could be delayed by a police investigation into Mandelson – could trigger a challenge to the leadership of the Labor Party.

“All the venom must come out,” said one deputy.

A former minister quoted by The Guardian also said: “I've had a lot of bad days recently, but I think this is the worst yet,” while another MP warned: “Confidence is limited. Personally, I'm not sure I could trust myself to support the Prime Minister in a confidence vote.”

Labor MPs said Starmer's testimony in the House of Commons that he knew about Mandelson's friendship with Epstein before his appointment was an edifying moment.

“You could feel the atmosphere change; it was somber,” said one MP who was close to Starmer.

The Prime Minister's Office later said Starmer was only aware of what was already in the public domain.

“It is simply indefensible,” said one opposition lawmaker. “They knew all about Peter's relationship with Epstein but still gave him the job,” another MP was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

Several MPs said the prime minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who was close to Mandelson, should take responsibility for the failures and resign. “The government is on the run,” said another lawmaker.

“I'm just as angry,” says Starmer

Starmer defended his decisions, saying he acted quickly to strip a man he accused of “betraying” Britain of all titles and positions.

Asked in parliament whether the vetting carried out before Mandelson's appointment had noted that he and Epstein had an ongoing relationship, Starmer said yes.

“Yes, he mentioned it. As a result, he was asked various questions,” Starmer said. The prime minister then claimed that Mandelson had lied throughout the trial and that the related documents would prove it.

But Starmer's explanation of how Mandelson was appointed failed to quell the voices of the opposition, who said the ambassador's selection in 2024 called into question the judgment of Starmer and his closest adviser, Morgan McSweeney.

“I am as furious as anyone about what Mandelson has done. The revelations this week that he passed sensitive information at the height of the 2008 financial crisis are absolutely shocking and appalling,” Starmer told a tumultuous session of parliament.

“He has betrayed our country, he has lied repeatedly, he is responsible for a series of frauds. But this moment calls for not only anger but action, and that is why we have acted quickly,” he said after telling MPs he had agreed with King Charles to remove Mandelson from the sovereign's official body.

A stormy day in the House of Commons

The prime minister's office said the documents would prove Mandelson lied about the depth of his relationship with Epstein.

But on Wednesday night, the Metropolitan Police said it had blocked the release of certain documents in case they would prejudice a criminal investigation into Mandelson's alleged disclosure of confidential government documents to Epstein.

Earlier, Downing Street tried to soften the Tories' move to trigger the release of the documents, adding exceptions for national security and to protect international relations.

MPs branded the move a “cover-up” and called for the decision on which documents to be released to be made by MPs' intelligence and security committee, not the cabinet secretary.

Labor was on the verge of losing the vote in the House of Commons until a negotiated amendment forced the release of documents relating to Mandelson's appointment.

The motion calling for the documents to be released was passed late Wednesday, and the prime minister's office said it would act on the request as soon as possible, in line with police recommendations.

“We will pursue the motion, including the release of documents relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment, which will demonstrate the lies he has told,” a spokesman said.

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