As Epstein-linked appointment sparks backlash, UK PM Starmer faces party revolt amid resignation calls

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing 1 of the astir superior crises of his premiership aft a cascade of resignations, renewed scrutiny implicit his determination to name Peter Mandelson arsenic Britain’s ambassador to Washington and mounting unrest wrong the ruling Labor Party up of a captious gathering of members of Parliament Monday evening.

On Monday, Scottish Labor person Anas Sarwar became the astir elder enactment fig to telephone for Starmer’s resignation, saying "the distraction needs to extremity and the enactment successful Downing Street has to change," according to the Associated Press. His involution piles caller unit connected the premier minister.

At the halfway of the situation are recently publicized materials detailing Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, revelations that person reshaped the governmental stakes and triggered questions astir vetting astatine the highest levels of government. Documents cited by Fox News Digital study Mandelson maintained interaction with Epstein aft his 2008 conviction, and that Epstein transferred astir $75,000 successful 2003 and 2004 to accounts connected to Mandelson oregon his husband.

KEIR STARMER’S CHIEF OF STAFF RESIGNS AFTER RECOMMENDING EPSTEIN-CONNECTED AMBASSADOR

Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s main of unit and 1 of the astir influential figures wrong Downing Street, stepped down connected Sunday aft acknowledging his relation successful recommending Mandelson for the diplomatic post. In a resignation connection obtained by The Guardian, McSweeney said the determination was "wrong" and helium accepted responsibility, calling his departure the "only honorable course."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, during a invited reception astatine the ambassador’s residence successful Washington, connected Feb. 26, 2025. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)

The unit intensified hours aboriginal erstwhile Tim Allan, the premier minister’s manager of communications, besides resigned, according to GB News. Allan, a seasoned New Labor strategist, became the 2nd elder adjutant to exit arsenic the governmental fallout deepened.

Dr. John Hemmings, manager of the National Security Center astatine the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital the premier curate is present nether escalating governmental unit and that "it’s unclear arsenic to whether he’ll survive."

"Prime Minister Starmer is coming nether ever-increasing governmental unit to resign present successful London successful the aftermath of the ungraded astir Lord Mandelson — his appointed ambassador to the United States — and his transportation to Jeffrey Epstein. He has mislaid 2 adjacent aides and is nether onslaught for his China overseas policy. The Chagos Deal is nether scrutiny and his travel to Beijing was mostly viewed arsenic devoid of existent results," Hemmings said.

Alan Mendoza, enforcement manager of the Henry Jackson Society, added: "It is bonzer to beryllium successful a concern wherever a premier curate who won a landslide wide predetermination triumph lone 20 months agone is present connected the verge of being forced to resign. We are present arsenic a effect of a bid of argumentation U-turns and atrocious judgement calls culminating successful the Lord Mandelson debacle. His destiny is present yet successful the hands of the Parliamentary Labor Party tonight. If helium feels helium nary longer has their confidence, past determination is each accidental that this volition beryllium the extremity of Keir Starmer."

STARMER CALLS ON EX-PRINCE ANDREW TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS AFTER LATEST EPSTEIN RELEASE

Peter Mandelson speaks during a invited reception for British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, astatine the ambassador's residence connected Feb. 26, 2025, successful Washington, D.C. (Carl Court/Pool via Reuters)

Starmer has sought to incorporate the damage, saying helium regrets the appointment. In remarks reported by GB News connected Monday, the premier curate said: "I person been perfectly wide that I regret the determination that I made to name Peter Mandelson. And I’ve apologized to the victims, which is the close happening to do." He added that scandals of this benignant hazard undermining nationalist religion successful politics.

The premier curate present faces a showdown with Labor lawmakers, with backbench MPs expected to situation his enactment astatine a enactment gathering Monday evening U.K. time. A elder Labor MP told GB News the "clock is ticking" and called for decisive enactment to "cleanse politics."

Downing Street has insisted Starmer volition not resign contempt the treble departure. A spokesperson told journalists that the premier curate is "getting connected with the occupation successful manus and delivering alteration crossed the country," and helium remains "upbeat and confident," and retains Cabinet support.

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Peter Mandelson sits with Jeffrey Epstein arsenic helium blows retired the candles connected a cake, successful an undated photograph released by the U.S. Justice Department connected Dec. 19, 2025, arsenic portion of a trove of documents from its investigations into Epstein. (U.S. Justice Department/Handout via Reuters)

The governmental damage, however, extends beyond staffing turmoil. Mandelson was withdrawn from the ambassador relation aft further details astir his narration with Epstein emerged, and helium resigned from the Labor Party earlier this month, leaving Starmer confronting what experts picture arsenic the astir acute trial of his enactment since taking office.

Fox News Digital's Ashley Carnahan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.