Sir Keir Starmer has been told to resign by critics over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US. The Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Mr Mandelson to the role in Washington is being compared to Boris Johnson’s decision to appoint Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip, despite knowing about serious claims made against him.
Right-wing commentator Sophie Corcoran wrote on X: “Boris Johnson was forced to resign over Pincher so surely Starmer has to go over Mandy”. Another said: “Keir Starmer called for the whole cabinet to resign because of Chris Pincher. How is he going to survive the bar he set? Lord Mandelson scandal is worse than Chris Pincher’s.”
Boris Johnson appointed Chris Pincher to deputy chief whip in February 2022, despite knowing about serious complaints made against him. Mr Pincher was the subject of a series of complaints about making unwanted sexual advances on people, when he was made deputy chief whip.
At first Mr Johnson denied knowledge of any “specific allegations” against Mr Pincher, however Lord McDonald later claimed that that was “not accurate”. Mr Johnson, according to Lord McDonald, was told “in person” about claims made against Mr Pincher in 2019.
Although the Pincher scandal on its own did not cause the downfall of Mr Johnson, it was the first in a series of events that led to his resignation. The partygate affair, as well as several other episodes of perceived sleaze, eventually forced the PM to leave office.
As Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson’s government of not having “a shred of integrity” over the Pincher scandal. He said to Mr Johnson in the Commons: “Have some self-respect. For a week he’s had them defending his decision to promote a sexual predator. Every day the lines he has forced them to take have been untrue.”
He was also asked if Mr Johnson’s cabinet should resign in protest over the scandal. He said: “Yes, they should. It’s their responsibility in the national interest to remove him from office. They know what he’s like.
“He said he’s psychologically incapable of changing and therefore they have to do what’s in the national interest and remove him.”
Lord Mandelson has now been removed from his role as UK ambassador to the US, after it emerged that he had had a close relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after the financier had been convicted.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said Downing Street had not known about emails from Mr Mandelson to Epstein suggesting his 2008 conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution was wrongful and should be legally challenged.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the Prime Minister has asked the Foreign Secretary to withdraw him as ambassador.
“The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information.
“In light of that, and mindful of the victims of Epstein’s crimes, he has been withdrawn as ambassador with immediate effect.”
Prior to Mr Mandelson’s sacking, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was “completely disgusted” by messages the ambassador had sent to Epstein and that his future was “a decision for the prime minister”.
Sir Keir is now facing questions of how much he knew about Mr Mandelson’s support for Epstein.
The Conservatives are demanding that Mr Mandelson’s vetting for his ambassadorial role be made public. The PM’s spokesman denied any government departments played a role in the process, claiming that “any suggestion that No 10 was involved is untrue”.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Sir Keir “needs to come before Parliament and explain why Lord Mandelson was appointed in the first place, given everything the government knew then”.