1 hour ago Starmer under scrutiny as Mandelson ‘admitted long ties with Epstein in vetting’

Questions are swirling about the Prime Minister’s political judgment after he sacked the peer a day after defending him.

Politics

2 h. ago Keir Starmer ignored string of warnings before finally sacking Mandelson: Questions grow over PM's judgment as Labour MPs brand his handling of the episode 'a shambles'

The Prime Minister finally acted to remove the disgraced peer as ambassador to the United States amid a growing Labour revolt over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Events

4 h. ago Mother of woman killed by boyfriend tells Starmer justice system is ‘broken’

Linda Westcarr sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling for an urgent meeting after her daughter’s killer was handed a hospital order.

Events

5 h. ago Oxford Union condemns incoming president’s comments about Charlie Kirk shooting

George Abaraonye posted several comments appearing to celebrate what happened in Utah.

Politics

6 h. ago Phillipson faces Powell in final stage of Labour deputy leader race

Contest to replace Angela Rayner is an unwelcome distraction for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Politics

6 h. ago Spotlight falls on Starmer’s political judgment after Mandelson sacking

Decision to end support for US ambassador over Jeffrey Epstein links comes just before Donald Trump state visit Keir Starmer is facing serious questions about his political judgment after he was forced to sack his US ambassador, Peter Mandelson, over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.In the second damaging departure for the government in a week, the prime minister withdrew support for Lord Mandelson over emails to Epstein from 2008 suggesting his sentence for soliciting a child for prostitution should be challenged. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago The Guardian view on Peter Mandelson in Washington: a parable of short

Any association with Jeffrey Epstein was obviously toxic and it reflects poorly on Keir Starmer’s judgment that he didn’t anticipate the riskAs UK ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson was obviously a risky appointment. There was never any doubt that the former cabinet minister, European commissioner and international business lobbyist would be a skilled operator. The danger came from another of his reliable traits – attracting attention for the wrong reasons.Sure enough, little over six months into the role, Lord Mandelson’s position became untenable. Sir Keir Starmer had stood by him when links to Jeffrey Epstein first resurfaced – extraordinary given the billionaire financier’s status as a convicted paedophile. The position changed with the publication of evidence showing that Lord Mandelson reaffirmed the friendship even after Epstein’s conviction, expressing solidarity and urging him to seek early release.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this ar...

Politics

7 h. ago Sacked Mandelson: Being ambassador to US was ‘privilege of my life’

The peer said he deeply regretted the circumstances of his departure from the British embassy in Washington.

Politics

7 h. ago Concerns Mandelson did not pass MI6 vetting for US ambassador role – but Starmer appointed him anyway

Keir Starmer is facing serious questions after claims he ignored warnings from the security service to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador

Politics

8 h. ago Concerns Mandelson did not pass MI6 vetting for US ambassador role – but was appointed anyway

It is claimed that Keir Starmer pushed through his appointment anyway in the face of opposition from the Trump White House

Politics

9 h. ago Suranne Jones' brilliant BBC thriller 'so good' it has fans gripped 10 years after debut

Doctor Foster first aired on BBC1 in September 2015 and starred Suranne Jones as Gemma Foster, a doctor who suspects her husband of having an affair

Politics

9 h. ago Starmer is always torn between risk and caution. When it came to Mandelson, the wrong side won | Emma Burnell

The PM stood by his man for so long, he can’t even claim credit now for firing him. It’s a worst-of-both-worlds scenarioEmma Burnell is the editor of LabourListKeir Starmer’s public image is one of stolid caution. This was something deliberately crafted at the start of his leadership of the Labour party to put him into sharp contrast with the charismatic but chaotic then prime minister, Boris Johnson. Starmer is – we were repeatedly told – forensic. He’s a details man who plays by the book.However, look more closely and you will see that Starmer is actually something of a political risk-taker. The hiring – and now firing – of Peter Mandelson is just the latest case in point.Emma Burnell is the editor of LabourList Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago Concerns that Mandelson did not pass MI6 vetting for US ambassador role – but was appointed anyway

It is claimed that Keir Starmer pushed through his appointment anyway in the face of opposition from the Trump White House

Politics

9 h. ago Calamity Keir made Mandelson US envoy 'despite warning from security services'

Keir Starmer went ahead with the appointment last year even though concerns were reportedly raised during the vetting process.

Events

11 h. ago Peter Mandelson sacked by Keir Starmer over ‘reprehensible’ emails to Epstein: Latest updates

James Roscoe has taken over from Lord Mandelson as interim ambassador while Downing Street finds a replacement.

Politics

11 h. ago Calamity Keir fights to survive his second crisis in a week: Westminster incredulous as PM is forced to sack Mandelson over 'disgusting' Epstein emails just 24 HOURS after backing him

Keir Starmer finally acted after another cache of messages emerged from Lord Mandelson to the notorious paedophile.

Events

11 h. ago Mandelson’s sacking has left one big question – and it has nothing to do with Epstein

Lord Mandelson is part of a long list of key appointees that Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to sack for predictable problems, which poses big questions about his judgment, as David Maddox explains

Politics

12 h. ago DAN HODGES: Even sacrificing Mandelson might not save Starmer. In the Commons, an end

So, what changed? Just 24 hours ago, Keir Starmer stood in the Commons and insisted, 'The ambassador has repeatedly expressed his deep regret for his association with Epstein'

Politics

12 h. ago Calamity Keir fights to survive his second crisis in a week: Westminister incredulous as PM is forced to sack Mandelson over 'disgusting' Epstein emails just 24 HOURS after backing him

Keir Starmer finally acted after another cache of messages emerged from Lord Mandelson to the notorious paedophile.

Politics

12 h. ago Labour ‘unprepared’ for the ‘state’ of its inheritance, new Commons Leader says

Conservative shadow Commons leader Jesse Norman described Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership as being like an ‘unending episode of The Office’.

Politics