Sir Keir Starmer's leadership is under severe threat following revelations that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting before his appointment as Washington ambassador, with reports of a potential reshuffle and growing calls for the prime minister to resign. According to reports cited by the Daily Express, Starmer might sack Chancellor Rachel Reeves in a reshuffle after May's local elections. One source speaking to the Mail on Sunday described the potential reshuffle as 'one final roll of the dice'. A senior Labour source told the Daily Express: 'This is the last gasp of a dying man. He's going to have to be dragged out of No10 with his fingernails clinging to the wallpaper.' Whitehall insiders say the business of government has been paralysed by uncertainty over Starmer's future. According to the Daily Mail, a source described: 'Keir is seen as a dead man walking. So the system is basically moving on from him. People are just sitting down and waiting.' Starmer has been accused of misleading the House of Commons after he repeatedly informed MPs that 'due process was followed' in the appointment. He sacked the head of the foreign office, Sir Olly Robbins, for not informing him sooner that Lord Mandelson had failed his security vetting. Lord Mandelson was sacked from his Washington posting after further information regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein came to light.
Labour has defended Starmer and denied any wrongdoing. Starmer ally Darren Jones said the Mandelson situation had 'been shown not to be the case' that Starmer 'had lied or misled the House or had done any wrongdoing here'. Jones denied that the prime minister was in 'trouble' over the appointment. He told Sky News: 'My point is that there's been no wrongdoing on behalf of the Prime Minister that has been proven.' Labour has branded calls for the prime minister to resign and accusations that he misled the House as politically motivated.
One final roll of the dice
Lord Mandelson had business connections with Russian oligarchs, according to reports. His lobbying firm did business with a company linked to the Chinese military, reports said. These connections, along with the Epstein relationship, are believed to have contributed to the security vetting failure.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is positioning herself to succeed Starmer as prime minister on a 'nightmare ticket' with Ed Miliband, according to sources. Cooper would present herself as a centrist 'unifying force' if Starmer is forced out after May's local elections. Her supporters hope after 'earning her spurs' she would be urged to lead the party into the next general election. Under the plan, Ed Miliband would serve as chancellor. However, Ed Miliband tops the list when party members are asked to rate potential leaders – with Cooper in 11th place. Cooper's supporters hope she can be manoeuvred into the job without a contest. Ed Miliband's friends say his stint as leader between 2010 and 2015 has removed his appetite for the top job. According to the Daily Mail, a source described: 'Ed would rather be the power behind the throne than on the throne.' Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: 'A Miliband-Cooper leadership plan would be a nightmare ticket for Britain – Red Ed back in charge with the same old Gordon Brown playbook that left our economy weaker and families poorer.' Senior party figures are coalescing around caretaker figures such as Cooper or Defence Secretary John Healey. According to the Daily Mail, a Labour MP described: 'Yvette's name is being increasingly mentioned as someone who could come in as interim leader. She wouldn't win an open leadership contest but the party may turn to her as an…experienced hand who could steady the ship after Keir goes.' Cooper was yesterday granted the classic rite-of-passage for a Labour leadership hopeful.
This is the last gasp of a dying man. He's going to have to be dragged out of No10 with his fingernails clinging to the wallpaper.
Other potential successors face obstacles. Angela Rayner is waiting for the outcome of HMRC's investigation into her underpayment of stamp duty on her seaside home. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is scarred by his association with Peter Mandelson. Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is still trying to find a way into the House of Commons, without which he cannot launch a bid.
My point is that there’s been no wrongdoing on behalf of the Prime Minister that has been proven.
Ed would rather be the power behind the throne than on the throne.
A Miliband-Cooper leadership plan would be a nightmare ticket for Britain – Red Ed back in charge with the same old Gordon Brown playbook that left our economy weaker and families poorer.
Keir is seen as a dead man walking. So the system is basically moving on from him. People are just sitting down and waiting.
Yvette's name is being increasingly mentioned as someone who could come in as interim leader. She wouldn't win an open leadership contest but the party may turn to her as an…experienced hand who could steady the ship after Keir goes.