Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down, saying that “the distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change.”
Sarwar said he has a “genuine friendship” with Starmer but added he must “do what is right for my country and Scotland”, making him the most senior serving Labour politician so far to publicly urge the prime minister to resign.
Keir Starmer said he will not step down and is “not prepared to walk away from my mandate”, speaking to Labour MPs just hours after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly urged him to go.
Addressing a private meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party that lasted more than an hour, Starmer told colleagues that “every fight I’ve been in, I have won,” signalling he intends to remain in leadership despite mounting internal pressure.
The intervention comes as Starmer faces intensifying political pressure linked to controversy surrounding the government’s decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States. The issue has drawn renewed scrutiny after the release of additional Epstein-related material in the United States revived questions about Mandelson’s past social contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The dispute has focused on political judgement and the vetting process behind the appointment, rather than any suggestion of unlawful behaviour by Starmer personally. Mandelson has previously said he regrets his association with Epstein.
The political crisis deepened after two senior Downing Street figures resigned. Communications director Tim Allan stepped down on Monday (9 February), a day after chief of staff Morgan McSweeney left his role, saying he took “full responsibility” for advising Starmer to make the appointment.
Despite the growing criticism, Downing Street insisted Starmer would remain in office. A spokesperson said the prime minister has “a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.”
The spokesperson also stressed Starmer’s political standing, noting he is “one of only four Labour leaders ever to have won a general election”.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also reiterated support, saying ministers should “let nothing distract us from our mission to change Britain” and that the government continues to back the prime minister.
Opposition parties have increased pressure on the government. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of losing control of his party, while Scottish National Party Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said the government was “in chaos” and called on the prime minister to resign.
Within Labour, opinion remains divided. Some MPs have publicly questioned Starmer’s position, while senior cabinet members have defended him and urged colleagues to focus on government priorities.
Starmer has expressed regret over the decision to appoint Mandelson and apologised to victims affected by the wider controversy.
Sarwar’s intervention reflects growing concern among Scottish Labour figures ahead of upcoming elections in Scotland, although Downing Street has reiterated that the prime minister is “concentrating on the job in hand.”
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