Peter Mandelson Has Gone – But Questions About Keir Starmer's Own Future Remain

Keir Starmer with Peter Mandelson at the US ambassador's residence in February 26.In the end, Keir Starmer had no choice but to dispense with Peter Mandelson’s services as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.The drip-drip of revelations about the extent of the Labour peer’s friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein meant that his position had become untenable.An alleged “birthday book” released earlier this week by the House Oversight Committee in America contained a message from Mandelson in which he described Epstein, who died in prison in 2018, as his “best pal”.But it was the further revelation, that Mandelson told Epstein in an email that “your friends stay with you and love you” even as he was facing child underage sex charges in 2008, that was the final straw for the prime minister.In a statement, the Foreign Office said: “In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador.”Nevertheless, Labour MPs are furious that the PM did not act sooner, especially since Mandelson admitted himself on Wednesday morning that more “embarrassing” revelations would inevitably emerge.Despite that, Starmer stood up at prime minister’s questions and insisted he still had “confidence” in him.One senior Labour figure said: “Why the fuck didn’t they sack him before PMQs?”Others are angry that Mandelson was appointed in the first place, given he was twice forced to resign from Tony Blair’s government, and that his links with Epstein were already well-known.It is also understood that senior Foreign Office officials also warned against Mandelson’s appointment, but that No.10 insisted it go ahead.One MP told HuffPost UK: “It was appalling judgment for Keir not to listen to the many voices telling him not to appoint Peter at the time.“The alarm bells were ringing when he was first mooted, and yet with his checkered history and attraction to money and power, he still got appointed.”Another backbencher said: “It was only a matter of time, but Mandelson should have gone before today. “No.10′s reticence to draw a line under the story is worrying and further demonstrates the indecision there is at the top of government.”Mandelson’s sacking does not bring an end to the story, either. Questions still remain about what Starmer knew about Mandelson’s links to Epstein and why he still believed he was the right man for the job.The scandal comes less than a week after Angela Rayner was forced to resign – again after Starmer gave her his backing at PMQs.Just 10 days ago, the PM announced that “phase two” of his government was beginning as she unveiled a major shake-up of his No.10 operation. Since then, he has bounced from one disaster to another.Increasing number of Labour MPs are beginning to openly speculate about how long Starmer can remain in post.One said: “In football terms, he’s completely lost the dressing room. His own position is in question now – the sooner we address it the better.”Another Labour insider said: “If you get a large enough number of parliamentary Labour Party saying you’ve got to go, his position becomes untenable.”Starmer’s condition is not yet terminal. But unless he starts to produce some tangible results for his restive troops, it soon could be.Related...Peter Mandelson Sacked As US Ambassador Over Jeffrey Epstein RowPeter Mandelson's Time In Washington Appears To Be Coming To An End. That's A Disaster For Keir StarmerKeir Starmer Backs Peter Mandelson Despite Him Calling Jeffrey Epstein His 'Best Pal'

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