Mandelson-Starmer latest: Gordon Brown says scandal is ‘serious’ for Labour PM – who has ‘acted too slow’
Police search Mandelson’s homes in Epstein probe as pressure mounts on StarmerSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailGet our free View from Westminster emailFormer primer minister, Gordon Brown has warned that Sir Keir’s Starmer’s situation is “serious” after the prime minister faces mounting pressure to resign over the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.Mr Brown said in regards to Starmer: "Perhaps he's been too slow to do the right things, but he must do the right things now, and let's judge what he does on what happens in the next few months, when he tries to, and I believe (he) will try, to clean up the system”, he told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.Mr Brown also deeply regrets bring Lord Mandelson into office and fears he could have potentially caused “huge commercial damage”.Angela Rayner warned Sir Keir Starmer not to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador due to concern over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it has been reported.The former deputy prime minister told Sir Keir in 2024 handing the job to Lord Mandelson would be a mistake due to his ties to the paedophile financier, according to reports in The Times. Sir Keir has apologised for believing Lord Mandelson’s “lies” and vowed to hand over documents related to his vetting to parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC). It comes after the Metropolitan Police searched addresses in Wiltshire and Camden, north London, as part of a misconduct in public office investigation launched into Lord Mandelson. The force said the alleged offences involved a 72-year-old man and confirmed that he had not been arrested in a “complex investigation” which concluded on Saturday morning.McDonnell describes Starmer as a 'rabbit caught in the headlights'Labour MP and former shadow chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell has once again questioned why senior government officials did not raise concerns over Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador at the time. Mr McDonnell said in a post on X: “Labour Party members need to assert control. We have a leader who in denial looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights and deluded leadership contenders fighting like rats in a sack.”He added: “If we are to save our party and Labour in government we need a thorough cleansing process which exposes not just the role Mandelson played but also the influence of other wealthy individuals and corporations and the way a brutal political culture has undermined party democracy.”Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 12:40Gordon Brown warns Keir Starmer leadership crisis is ‘serious’Former prime minister Gordon Brown has said the situation facing Sir Keir Starmer was “serious” and suggested the Labour leader had been “too slow to do the right things” to clean up politics in the wake of the Peter Mandelson row.But Mr Brown backed Sir Keir as a “man of integrity” who had been “betrayed” by Lord Mandelson.The Metropolitan Police said its investigation into Lord Mandelson over alleged misconduct in public office would “take some time” after officers finished searching his homes in London and Wiltshire.The Independent political editor, David Maddox, reports:Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 12:30Labour peer sent memo to Starmer’s chief of staff McSweeney warning against Mandelson appointmentPressure is growing on the position of Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney after it emerged that he was sent a memo warning him against Peter Mandelson being appointed as ambassador to the US.The memo from Lord Maurice Glasman, the founder of the influential Blue Labour group, was sent while the peer was in Washington DC for Donald Trump’s inauguration.The Independent political editor, David Maddox, reports:Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 12:20Gordon Brown says Starmer faces 'serious' challengeFormer prime minister Gordon Brown said the situation Sir Keir Starmer is facing is “serious”, as he faces mounting pressure to resign over the appointment of Mandelson.Ms Brown suggested the Labour leader had been “too slow to do the right things” in reacting to the Peter Mandelson scandal.But Mr Brown also praised Starmer as a “man of integrity” who had been “betrayed” by Lord Mandelson.Starmer’s position is in danger because of his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, despite knowing his friendship with disgraced financier Epstein continued after his conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I mean, there’s always speculation. It happened to me, it happened to Tony Blair. It happens to everybody about how their future should be gauged.“But this is serious, and the task is very clear. The task is we’ve got to clean up the system, a total clean-up of the system, an end to the corruption and unethical behaviour.“And if we don’t do it, we’ll pay a heavy price.”Former prime minister Gordon Brown was the last Labour MP to lead the UK (PA) (PA Archive)Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 12:10Zack Polanski calls on Starmer to resign as Mandelson scandal 'erodes trust in politics'Leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski has called on Sir Keir Starmer to step down from his role as prime minister over the Peter Mandelson scandal.Mr Polanski said the Prime Minister “needs to go” after showing a “catastrophic level of misjudgment” by making Lord Mandelson the US ambassador.He told the Press Association: “I think the Peter Mandelson scandal actually is bad for democracy in general.“I think it erodes trust in politicians. I think we already know that people deeply mistrust the political system and, actually, I just think it reflects on everyone really badly.“I do think Keir Starmer needs to go though. Keir Starmer knew that Peter Mandelson was still friends with a notorious paedophile, was still staying in his house and he brought him into the heart of government because he knew he could whisper into Donald Trump’s ear.“That’s a catastrophic level of misjudgment. It wasn’t just one mistake – with Keir Starmer we’ve seen misjudgment after misjudgment.”Zack Polanski slams Starmer over Mandelson-Epstein emails: 'Serious questions to answer' (The Independent/Getty)Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 12:00Liberal Democrats calling for Mandelson investigationThe Liberal Democrats party have called on the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate Lord Mandelson.Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said in a letter to the City watchdog: “It is crucial that Mandelson is investigated to see if he or those he leaked information to profited from access to this market sensitive and confidential material.“He and others must face criminal prosecution if they are found to have abused trading laws for financial benefit.”Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 11:50Watch: Most shocking emails between Mandelson and EpsteinMost shocking emails between Mandelson and EpsteinShaheena Uddin7 February 2026 11:40As Peter Mandelson’s biographer, I know how his mind works – and why Epstein was his weaknessThe Epstein files reveal not just a catastrophic breach of trust, but the final act in a long political psychodrama. Donald Macintyre reveals how a man so adept at managing risk came to take one that could destroy a government – not to mention his own career – and says the answers lie deep in a life shaped by a fatal attraction to wealth and influence.The Mandelson I know – and the real reason why Epstein was his weaknessThe Epstein files reveal not just a catastrophic breach of trust, but the final act in a long political psychodrama. Donald Macintyre reveals how a man so adept at managing risk came to take one that could destroy a government – not to mention his own career – and says the answers lie deep in a life shaped by a fatal attraction to wealth and influenceShaheena Uddin7 February 2026 11:30Andrew’s ex-partner Lady Victoria Hervey says not being named in Epstein files is an ‘insult’Andrew’s ex-partner says not being named in Epstein files is an ‘insult’Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-partner Lady Victoria Hervey says not being named in the Epstein files is an “insult”. The aristocrat who dated Andrew briefly in 1999, said not being named in the files relating to the convicted paedophile, would “just mean you are a loser”. Speaking to LBC host Tom Swarbrick on Friday (6 January), Lady Victoria said: “He [Epstein] knew everybody that was very powerful. “So, if you were on the scene and you were powerful, like, to be honest, if you are not in those files, it would be an insult.” She added: “It would just mean you are a loser.” Swarbrick responded: “That’s an astonishing attitude. I find that jaw-dropping.” Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Epstein. Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 11:20Brown says there's a 'systemic failure to do proper vetting' Former prime minister, Gordon Brown, said Lord Mandelson’s alleged lies during his appointment process as US ambassador were “not sufficient explanation for what happened”.Mr Brown told BBC’s Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is a systemic failure to do proper vetting, to go through the proper procedures and to actually have, in my view, what should be public hearings for anybody who is going to be in a senior position representing the British government.”Instead, he suggested there should be US-style confirmation hearings for new government ministers and senior appointments.Shaheena Uddin7 February 2026 11:10
