Will Keir Starmer lose his job over Epstein? British PM faces growing revolt

Keir Starmer never met Jeffrey Epstein. But he may still end up paying the political price.

Britain’s Prime Minister has been dragged into the widening fallout from the Epstein files, not because of any personal link to the disgraced financier, but over his judgment in appointing, and later firing, a close Epstein associate. What began as an attempt to move on from the scandal has instead put Starmer’s leadership under its most serious threat yet.

Keir Starmer has repeatedly said he never knew Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Yet Epstein’s shadow is now looming over Downing Street, after new documents exposed the depth of former UK ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson’s relationship with the financier.

Friendship with Epstein has already destroyed his reputation in Britain, most notably that of Prince Andrew. Mandelson, a veteran Labour powerbroker, became the latest casualty when Starmer dismissed him in September, just months after appointing him to one of the most sensitive diplomatic posts in government.

That decision is now at the heart of the crisis.

Starmer is facing mounting pressure from within his own party over why Mandelson was appointed in 2024 despite his known past association with Epstein. Newly released US Justice Department documents have intensified the scrutiny, revealing evidence that Mandelson remained in contact with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for sex offences involving a minor.

On Thursday, Starmer issued a public apology to Epstein’s victims and admitted he had been misled.

"I am sorry, sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you," Starmer said. "Sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him."

Critics say the damage may already be done.

"He is now essentially a boxer on the ropes," said Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester. "His administration could fall over tomorrow, or it could stagger on for months or even years. But his authority is seriously shot."

A RISKY APPOINTMENT

Mandelson, 72, was fired after emails showed he maintained a friendly relationship with Epstein long after the financier’s conviction. Further disclosures suggest Mandelson shared sensitive government information with Epstein after the 2008 financial crisis and received payments totalling $75,000 in the early 2000s.

There are also informal, jokey messages that point to a far closer relationship than Mandelson had previously acknowledged.

British police are now investigating Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office. He denies any sexual wrongdoing and says he never witnessed abuse.

At the time of his appointment, Mandelson’s supporters argued his trade expertise, global contacts and mastery of Labour’s political machinery made him an asset in dealing with Donald Trump’s second US administration. Critics counter that his past scandals — he resigned twice from senior government posts over ethics issues — made him an obvious risk.

JUDGMENT IS QUESTIONABLE

Starmer’s troubles deepened this week when he told Parliament that the 2024 vetting process had revealed Mandelson’s continued friendship with Epstein after 2008. The remark caused visible shock in the Commons.

A day later, Starmer said he had misspoken, insisting he meant only that it had been publicly known for years that the two men knew each other.

The government now plans to release documents from the vetting process in an effort to clear Starmer’s name and shift blame back onto Mandelson. But officials concede that some material may be withheld because of the ongoing police investigation or reviewed for national security concerns.

Labour MP Paula Barker said the episode raised serious concerns.

"The prime minister has shown that his judgment is questionable," she told the BBC. "He has a very long way to go to rebuild trust and confidence with the public — and within our party."

TROUBLE ALREADY BREWING

The Epstein fallout has landed at a moment of weakness for Starmer. Since Labour’s landslide victory in July 2024, his government has struggled to deliver economic growth, ease living costs and repair public services.

Despite pledging a return to clean and competent governance after 14 years of Conservative rule, Starmer has faced criticism over welfare cuts, policy reversals and internal party tensions. Labour now trails the hard-right Reform UK party in opinion polls, fuelling speculation about a leadership challenge.

Potential rivals are keeping their distance for now. Angela Rayner remains sidelined after her own resignation, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting has past ties to Mandelson. Some Labour MPs are instead calling for the removal of Starmer’s powerful chief aide, Morgan McSweeney, who is widely blamed for backing Mandelson’s appointment.

Starmer, for his part, insists he is pressing on.

On Thursday, he said he would continue doing the "vital work" of governing. But with by-elections looming and local polls approaching, pressure inside Labour is unlikely to ease.

Ford offered a bleak assessment: whenever Starmer does leave office — whether by choice or force — "it will all be traced back to appointing Peter Mandelson."