The Prime Minister has refused to resign over allegations that he did not know that Peter Mandelson had failed his security clearance
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing new calls to resign after it was confirmed that former British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson has been appointed despite not being approved by security officials.
Mandelson, who was London’s envoy to Washington between February and September 2025, was arrested earlier this year for allegedly leaking sensitive British government data to the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
The media claimed that he maintained a friendly relationship with Epstein even after the disgraced financier was jailed in 2008, while also receiving money from him.
The Guardian reported on Thursday that Mandelson failed to be vetted by the Cabinet Office in 2024, but the Foreign Office ignored its recommendations and still made the 72-year-old ambassador.
Downing Street confirmed the report, but insisted that Starmer, who previously assured the parliament “due process” had been followed in the nomination of the delegate, he was not aware of Mandelson’s security clearance problems.
On Thursday, senior Foreign Office official Olly Robbins was sacked over the scandal. He has been formally asked to give evidence about the Mandelson review on Tuesday.
Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch told the BBC that it was “very bad” for the Labor government to claim that Starmer was unaware of the situation.
“This story doesn’t add up. The prime minister treats us like idiots. All roads lead to resignation,” he insisted.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, insisted that Starmer “I have to go” if he really misled the parliament and the public.
Starmer refuses to resign, telling reporters Friday that he was “absolutely angry” for not getting information about Mandelson’s failed review, calling it “amazing” and “unpardonable.” He promised to address the MPs on Monday “put all the important facts in true clarity.”
However, the British media seems unconvinced by the prime minister’s excuses. On Friday, the Times warned about “Fresh crisis for Starmer, whose prime ministership came close to collapsing over the Mandelson scandal in February.”
A headline in the Daily Mail said: “Starmer on edge as his Mandelson ‘lie’ exposed,” while Express insists on being the prime minister “He must resign after lying to the parliamentarians.” The Telegraph described the Prime Minister’s position as “unbelievable,” adding that “he cannot live.”
The Mandelson affair has already dealt a major blow to Starmer’s team, with his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigning in February after being blamed for the appointment of a member known to Epstein.
McSweeney’s departure was followed by the Prime Minister’s Director of Communications, Tim Allan, who said he was stepping down to allow Starmer to build “new team.”
The British royal family and Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, have also been hit by Epstein’s new document. Having already been stripped of his titles due to his relationship with the late criminal, the former chief is now facing accusations of “Misconduct in public office” due to allegations of giving Epstein sensitive documents.
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