"Keir Starmer was facing renewed calls to sack his most senior adviser on Friday as Downing Street braced itself for another round of leadership speculation when the files relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador are published. The Labour MP for Stroud, Simon Opher, added his voice to those calling for the departure of Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who was instrumental in the decision to appoint Mandelson despite concerns about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein."
"The former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said the prime minister had looked weak, naive and gullible after he apologised for having put Mandelson into such a high-profile and sensitive role. Harman told Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast Starmer has got to stop blaming Mandelson and saying he lied to me'. Because actually he should never have been considering him in the first place. And to say he lied to me' makes it look weak and naive and gullible. So it's just completely the wrong thing."
Keir Starmer faces intensified pressure after the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador amid concerns about Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Labour MP Simon Opher publicly called for the sacking of the prime minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, saying advisers had failed to cover Starmer's back. Ministers have been asked to hand over communications with Mandelson as officials prepare to publish related files within days. Former deputy leader Harriet Harman criticised Starmer for appearing weak by blaming Mandelson. Downing Street says McSweeney retains the prime minister's confidence, while MPs warn the release could renew calls for resignation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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