Starmer’s “Sorry” Rings Hollow as Mandelson Scandal Deepens: Labour in Turmoil

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a highly anticipated apology for appointing former Labour grandee Lord Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to the United States — an appointment that has sparked intense fury within his own party and threatens the stability of his leadership.

At Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) this week, Starmer acknowledged he was wrong to trust Mandelson’s assurances about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying he was “sorry for believing Mandelson’s lies and for appointing him.” The apology extended to the victims of Epstein, whom Starmer said had been let down by those in power.

However, the apology — one of the most serious of his tenure — has done little to calm the storm. Many Labour MPs now describe the scandal as a leadership crisis, with some openly questioning whether Starmer can continue as party leader.

The Controversial Appointment and Public Backlash

The roots of the crisis lie in Starmer’s decision to approve Lord Mandelson, a veteran Labour politician and former Cabinet minister, as the UK’s ambassador to Washington. Mandelson’s appointment came despite evidence that his ties with Jeffrey Epstein continued after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sexual offences — a detail that most expected to be disqualifying.

Downing Street initially attempted to restrict the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment, claiming national security and diplomatic considerations. But in the face of mounting pressure from Labour MPs — particularly former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner — the government backed down, agreeing to let Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee oversee the release of the files.

This move was widely seen as a credible U-turn, underscoring how much control Starmer has already lost over the narrative.

“I am Sorry”: Starmer’s Attempt at Damage Control

In a poignant statement during PMQs, Starmer addressed survivors of Epstein’s abuse directly:

“The victims of Epstein have lived with trauma that most of us can barely comprehend… I want to say this: I am sorry. Sorry for what was done to you. Sorry that so many people with power failed you. Sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointed him.”

Starmer emphasised that his government would continue to pursue accountability and uphold the integrity of public life, insisting that justice must be sought even amid political turmoil.

Despite the gravity of the remarks, Labour MPs remain restless, feeling the apology addresses only the moral dimension of the scandal, without answering deeper questions about judgement, vetting processes, and internal decision-making within No. 10.

Backbench Backlash: Labour MPs Turn on Starmer

While the public apology was intended to draw a line under the crisis, it instead ignited further anger from the party’s backbenches.

Labour MPs have expressed deep frustration not only with Starmer but also with his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who is reported to have been a key advocate for Mandelson’s appointment. Some MPs have demanded McSweeney’s resignation, describing him as a liability who has damaged the party’s reputation.

One backbencher described the situation as “indefensible,” saying Labour had knowingly placed a figure with troubling associations into one of the most powerful diplomatic posts. Others warned that Starmer’s leadership may not survive the crisis.

A Leadership Under Threat

The repercussions for Starmer have been immediate. Some Labour MPs now say his days as prime minister are “numbered,” warning that his grip on the party has weakened after a series of missteps.

Pressure has mounted especially because of the perceived attempt by Downing Street to control the narrative around the Mandelson documents — an episode many MPs fear looks like a cover-up rather than transparency.

Some MPs have suggested that a confidence vote or leadership challenge could be on the horizon if the party cannot agree on a way forward, risking distraction from key domestic issues and upcoming elections.

Government Response: Loyalty and Damage Limitation

Amid the internal turmoil, some of Starmer’s closest allies have publicly defended his position. Housing Secretary Steve Reed argued that Starmer acted decisively once the truth emerged and blamed the vetting process for failing to flag deeper ties.

Nevertheless, even Reed’s assurances have done little to settle the broader unrest within the party, with many Labour figures privately questioning whether the government’s explanation will hold up under sustained scrutiny.

What Comes Next? A Party at a Crossroads

As the Mandelson scandal continues to unfold, the opposition Conservatives and smaller parties are capitalising on Labour’s instability. They have called for full transparency and suggested that Starmer’s authority has been fatally undermined.

For many Labour MPs, the coming weeks will be a test of whether their party can move past a controversy that has rekindled debates about elite privilege, accountability, and public trust. Starmer’s apology may be seen as both a necessary acknowledgement of failure and a turning point in his leadership — but whether it is enough to save his premiership is still fiercely contested.