‘Strong and united’: UK’s Starmer defiant as Epstein fallout dogs leadership
Senior ministers shore up Keir Starmer’s position as indirect fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal threatens the British prime minister
A defiant British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to move on Tuesday from fevered speculation about his future after fighting off strident calls to resign over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Following a day of drama on Monday, the Labour leader told a meeting of government ministers that they were “strong and united” after he vowed not to depart office just 19 months into a five-year term.
Starmer’s position had looked precarious on Monday when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar demanded his resignation for appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite knowing he had maintained links to convicted sex offender Epstein.
But any attempt at sparking a coup fizzled out when government ministers responded by launching a rearguard action to shore up Starmer’s support, quelling the likelihood of a mutiny for now.
“The prime minister thanked the political cabinet for their support. He said they were strong and united,” Downing Street said in a readout of the meeting.
During a public visit later Tuesday, Starmer hit out at those suggesting Labour should have “a fight with itself”.