Labour MPs warn Starmer’s leadership may not survive the fallout from Mandelson’s appointment

Labour MPs have warned that Keir Starmer’s time as prime minister could be coming to an end after a furious day in Westminster over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States, despite his past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

The government came close to defeat in the House of Commons before a last-minute amendment forced the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment and the extent of his relationship with the convicted child sex offender. MPs said the eventual publication of those papers could trigger a leadership challenge against Starmer.

One MP said the mood inside the party was turning poisonous, adding: “We need all the poison to come out.” Another former minister described the day as the worst of Starmer’s premiership so far, while a separate MP questioned whether they could back the prime minister in a confidence vote, warning that trust within the party was rapidly eroding.

Several MPs said the atmosphere shifted decisively after Starmer admitted during Prime Minister’s questions that he had been aware of Mandelson’s friendship with Epstein before approving his appointment. MPs described the chamber as dark and tense in the moments that followed. Downing Street later insisted that the prime minister was only aware of information already in the public domain.

Backbenchers described the decision to proceed with Mandelson’s appointment as indefensible, with one MP comparing the situation to the Chris Pincher scandal that contributed to Boris Johnson’s downfall. Another said Labour had promised to be different from previous governments and warned that the episode had shattered that claim.

Anger was also directed at Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who had been closely associated with Mandelson. Several MPs said he should resign over failures in the vetting process, warning that further damaging revelations could follow once documents are released.

Earlier in the day, Downing Street attempted to soften a Conservative motion demanding disclosure by inserting exemptions for national security and international relations. That move was met with fury from Labour MPs, who accused the government of attempting a cover-up.

The crisis deepened when Angela Rayner and Meg Hillier intervened mid-debate to broker an amendment ensuring documents would be released, subject to oversight by the intelligence and security committee. Rayner reportedly cancelled private engagements to intervene as whips warned the government was close to losing the vote.

MPs credited Rayner with preventing an immediate Commons defeat and said her political judgment had once again rescued the government. Some openly suggested she would already be gathering support for a leadership challenge were it not for her ongoing tax investigation.

Despite the uproar, few MPs were yet willing to publicly call for Starmer to go. One backbencher described the situation as a “bin fire” but said the prime minister remained safe for now.

The Metropolitan police later confirmed it had requested a delay in releasing certain documents, warning that disclosure could prejudice a criminal investigation into Mandelson’s alleged sharing of confidential government information with Epstein.

The motion to release documents ultimately passed, with Downing Street confirming it would comply as soon as police advice allowed. A spokesperson said the documents would demonstrate that Mandelson had misled the prime minister about the depth of his relationship with Epstein.

Starmer also announced plans to introduce legislation making it easier to strip peers of their titles and said he had asked King Charles to remove Mandelson from the privy council. He acknowledged that Mandelson had not been truthful during the vetting process.

Despite the turmoil, Starmer is expected to pivot back to domestic policy, unveiling plans to expand funding for deprived communities as part of a renewed effort to stabilise his leadership amid growing internal unrest.