Mandelson-Starmer newest: PM set for showdown with livid Labour MPs as he battles to save lots of premiership | EUROtoday

Morgan McSweeney could have resigned, however some Labour MPs have mentioned they consider the prime minister ought to observe in his footsteps.

Labour MP Brian Leishman mentioned: “There must be a change in political direction and that comes from the very top, so the Prime Minister must look at his own position and question whether he should follow McSweeney’s lead one last time, and resign for the good of the country and the Labour Party.”

But others have backed the PM. Labour MP John Slinger rejected requires him to observe MRMcSweeney out of the door.

In an announcement posted to X, the Rugby MP mentioned: “I have been speaking publicly about how Labour should rally behind the prime minister, how we don’t ditch a leader just because the going gets tough, and how it’s in the national interest for Keir Starmer to stay as prime minister.

“Since I’ve done that, I have been approached in the street by constituents telling me they heard me on the radio and totally agree. I have had CEOs of companies message me to say they agree.

“And I have had people from all around the country, whether Labour or not, saying they think the last thing the country needs is leadership speculations and that we should support the prime minister.”

Sir Keir Starmer was fast to thank his former chief of employees Morgan McSweeney after he handed in his resignation over the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.

The prime minister mentioned: “It’s been an honour working with Morgan McSweeney for many years. He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country.

“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service.”

Sir Keir Starmer is starting the week with two new appearing chiefs of employees in put up following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney.

Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson have been named as Mr McSweeney’s replacements, no less than for time time being.

Ms Alakeson has duty for coverage and supply and has managed Downing Street’s exterior relationships.

Before Labour entered workplace, she solid ties with the enterprise group because the get together’s director of exterior relations.

The former Resolution Foundation suppose tank deputy chief govt served within the No 10 technique unit and within the Treasury over the past Labour authorities.

Ms Cuthbertson has managed the Prime Minister’s diary and has been described as the final word gatekeeper to Sir Keir.

She ran his workplace when he was chief of the opposition, having beforehand held comparable roles for former Labour leaders Ed Miliband and Gordon Brown.

The prime minister’s chief of employees Morgan McSweeney resigned on Sunday following furore over the federal government’s dealing with of the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.

Below is his resignation letter in full:

“After careful reflection, I have decided to resign from the government.

“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.

“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice.

“In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.

“This has not been an easy decision. Much has been written and said about me over the years but my motivations have always been simple: I have worked every day to elect and support a government that puts the lives of ordinary people first and leads us to a better future for our great country.

“Only a Labour government will do that.

“I leave with pride in all we have achieved mixed with regret at the circumstances of my departure.

“But I have always believed there are moments when you must accept your responsibility and step aside for the bigger cause. As I leave I have two further reflections:

“Firstly, and most importantly, we must remember the women and girls whose lives were ruined by Jeffrey Epstein and whose voices went unheard for far too long.

“Secondly, while I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled. This cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard for the future.

“I remain fully supportive of the Prime Minister. He is working every day to rebuild trust, restore standards and serve the country. I will continue to back that mission in whatever way I can. It has been the honour of my life to serve.”

Lord Mandelson was fired over his relationship with the disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein, and anger in Westminster has intensified after the latest release of documents, which indicated he leaked information to his friend while he was a government minister.

The Independent reporter, Nicole Wootton-Cane reports:

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

A defiant Keir Starmer is going to try to put himself front and centre of his beleaguered government’s fightback next week as calls grow for him to resign over the Mandelson scandal.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox and Whitehall editor Kave Devlin report:

Lucy Powell told The Independent that the vote, on 26 February, represents “a line in the sand” in Labour’s battle to cease the advance of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.