Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer 'needs a miracle' and a 'clearout' of No10 to save his job, Labour MPs say
Sir Keir Starmer "needs a miracle" and a No10 "clearout", Labour MPs have said, as the fallout over Peter Mandelson's US ambassador appointment continues.
Speaking to Sky News, Ian Byrne, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, said the Prime Minister "in a very perilous political situation at this moment."
"He needs a miracle," Mr Byrne added. "He needs something to turn it around."
While the MP welcomed Sir Keir's public apology on Thursday, he said the "red flags" were clear when Mandelson was appointed, and he "should never, ever have been near the post with what was known about him".
Meanwhile, Simon Opher, MP for Stroud, this morning called for a "clearout" at No10, including Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney.
"There’s a lot of anger amongst Labour MPs, because really we want to, I mean, yesterday, I want to be talking about the cancer care plan, not about Peter Mandelson," Mr Opher told the BBC.
"So I think what we need to do, I think what needs to really happen, Keir Starmer needs to change his advisers in No10, I think he’s been badly advised, and he’s been really let down, particularly on this decision.
"I know in politics, we really rely on people to sort of cover our backs, our advisors, and I think they patently haven’t done this with Peter Mandelson, and I think so we need a bit of a clearout really at No10."
When pressed whether this meant Mr McSweeney leaving, Mr Opher replied: "I think so yes".
"If my chief of staff had done this I think he would be looking for another job to be honest," he added.
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Reform surges to victory in by-election after announcing new Welsh party leader
Nigel Farage has claimed a key by-election win after announcing his party's new leader in Wales.
Reform UK topped the poll in the Ynys Gybi (Ynys Môn) by-election on Thursday in the Isle of Anglesey, Wales, overturning a Plaid Cymru seat.
Reacting to the win, Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice, said: "Huge WIN for Reform in Wales Gain from Plaid Cymru, in their Leader’s seat.
"Wales wants Reform UK."
The full results are:
- Reform: 43.9 per cent
- Plaid Cymru: 25 per cent
- Labour: 12.5 per cent
- Greens: 8.6 per cent
- Conservatives: 8.2 per cent
- Independent: 1.9 per cent
Keir Starmer 'has got to go' after 'completely unacceptable' handling of Peter Mandelson scandal, says Tory MP
'There needs to be accountability,' says Labour MSP
A Labour MSP has demanded "accountability" in the party, after the Peter Mandelson scandal this week.
Monica Lennon told the BBC there will be "soul-searching" within Labour over the weekend, after tumultuous period for Sir Keir Starmer's party.
"It’s not what anyone in the Labour party wants to be talking about right now," she said, adding that just mentioning Mandelson’s name "makes my skin crawl", accusing him of abusing his position and public trust.
"The good work the government is doing has been completely overshadowed by these scandals.
"I think there will be a lot of soul-searching over the weekend. The Prime Minister clearly is distressed by the events and he is pointing fingers at Peter Mandelson, but there are questions for everyone at the top of government.
"It can’t just be someone steps down from a role, or there’s an apology, there needs to be accountability."
WATCH IN FULL: Home Office Minister grilled on Keir Starmer's appointment of Peter Mandelson
'Disappointing!' Sadiq Khan REFUSES to back bus driver sacked after stopping thief
Sir Sadiq Khan has been urged to break his silence and back the bus driver who was sacked after stopping a thief.
The London Assembly passed a unanimous motion yesterday praising Mark Hehir - who was sacked in 2024 after knocking out a man who stole a passenger’s necklace.
While the motion is non-binding, it piles pressure on the London Mayor - who is yet to comment on the case.
The leader of the Conservatives in the London Assembly, Susan Hall, has supported Mr Hehir and met him during his visit to Parliament this week.
Secret Peter Mandelson comments could be 'damaging' for US relations, officials fear
Peter Mandelson comments that are set to be disclosed by the Government could be "damaging" to the relationship between the UK and Donald Trump, Whitehall officials fear.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to publish documents relating to the former Labour peer's appointment as US ambassador in 2024.
It is unknown exactly what will be published, but it may include messages from Mandelson to Downing Street officials, and some are worried they may include comments about the US President.
One of the officials told Politico there is "lots which could be damaging" and "he [Mandelson] used to download his thoughts in real time."
Labour MP calls for Morgan McSweeney to leave No10: 'There’s a lot of anger!'
A Labour MP has called for Sir Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, to leave Downing Street after the Peter Mandelson scandal.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister apologised for believing Lord Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as the UK's ambassador to the US.
Simon Opher, MP for Stroud, this morning called for a "clearout" at No10, including Mr McSweeney.
"There’s a lot of anger amongst Labour MPs, because really we want to, I mean, yesterday, I want to be talking about the cancer care plan, not about Peter Mandelson," Mr Opher told the BBC.
"So I think what we need to do, I think what needs to really happen, Keir Starmer needs to change his advisers in No10, I think he’s been badly advised, and he’s been really let down, particularly on this decision.
"I know in politics, we really rely on people to sort of cover our backs, our advisors, and I think they patently haven’t done this with Peter Mandelson, and I think so we need a bit of a clear out really at No10."
When pressed whether this meant Mr McSweeney leaving, Mr Opher replied: "I think so yes".
"If my chief of staff had done this I think he would be looking for another job to be honest," he added.
In the capital... Sadiq Khan REFUSES to back bus driver sacked after stopping thief
Sir Sadiq Khan has been urged to break his silence and back the bus driver who was sacked after stopping a thief.
The London Assembly passed a unanimous motion yesterday praising Mark Hehir - who was sacked in 2024 after knocking out a man who stole a passenger’s necklace.
While the motion is non-binding, it piles pressure on the London Mayor - who is yet to comment on the case.
The leader of the Conservatives in the London Assembly, Susan Hall, has supported Mr Hehir and met him during his visit to Parliament this week.
Mr Hehir said: "I want to thank Susan and the whole Assembly for supporting me. To have everyone come together, all different parties, it means a lot.
“I hope the Mayor now finally says something, as it’s disappointing he hasn’t so far. I would welcome the chance to speak with him about it. I hope he will give his support as well.”
Wes Streeting quietly deletes images of Lord Mandelson from social media - including one with his MOTHER
Wes Streeting has quietly removed a number of images of himself and his family with disgraced Labour grandee Lord Mandelson.
One was published just one day after Mr Streeting first became a Labour MP in Ilford North in May 2015 - a seat he now holds by a hair's breadth against his pro-Gaza independent challengers.
Lord Mandelson, who was then running his public affairs firm Global Counsel, had campaigned in the constituency for Mr Streeting.
"Oh, look it's my mum's new mate Peter Mandelson on the telly," the now-Health Secretary said of the photo at the time. "Mum, a big lefty, loved him today."
Team Rayner hits back amid reports ex-Deputy PM is plotting bid to oust Keir Starmer
A spokesman for Ms Rayner hit back at reports in the Mail and Telegraph of a leadership bid late last night.
He hit back at suggestions that she told friends she was ready to run, saying: "We do not recognise these claims".
Then, turning to question marks over her tax affairs, a spokesman said: "Angela said she would cooperate fully with HMRC and continues to do so. A running commentary is not helpful."
RECAP: Voters demand Keir Starmer quits as PM after Lord Mandelson scandal puts premiership on the brink
Half of Britons want Sir Keir Starmer to quit as Prime Minister following shock revelations about Lord Mandelson, a bombshell poll has revealed.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, found that just 24 per cent of voters want Sir Keir to stay as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
Labour voters remain split on whether Sir Keir should stay in No10, with just 40 per cent supporting the Prime Minister and 37 per cent wanting new leadership.
Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of both 2024 Tory and Reform UK voters back Sir Keir stepping down.
YouGov polled 6,741 Britons about Sir Keir on February 5, just hours after the Prime Minister admitted No10 knew Lord Mandelson visited Jeffrey Epstein's house before appointing him as the UK's Ambassador to the US...
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