{"id":2567923,"date":"2026-02-09T13:23:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/starmer-defiant-as-scottish-labour-leader-demands-he-resign\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:26:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:26:44","slug":"starmer-defiant-as-scottish-labour-leader-demands-he-resign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/starmer-defiant-as-scottish-labour-leader-demands-he-resign\/","title":{"rendered":"Starmer defiant as Scottish Labour leader demands he resign"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstarmer-defiant-as-scottish-labour-leader-demands-he-resign%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2567923&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar demanded Prime Minister Keir Starmer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ga-poll-watcher-it-expert-non-trump-supporter-affidavit-sudden-surge-of-20000-mail-in-votes-for-biden-in-early-hours-on-nov\/\" title=\"GA Poll Watcher, IT Expert, Non-Trump Supporter Affidavit: Sudden Surge of 20,000 Mail-In-Votes For Biden In Early Hours On Nov\">resign<\/a> amid the Peter Mandelson\u2013Jeffrey Epstein affair, telling reporters in Glasgow that leadership in Downing Street must change and that there have been too many misjudgments. He said he still considers Starmer a friend but must put his country first, and he will not back any option for Labour leadership in Scotland at this time.<\/p>\n<p>The pressure centers on Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the United States, whose emails suggest he received about $75,000 from Epstein and shared insights on political affairs with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawyer-for-epstein-victims-maxwells-potential-mistrial-a-gut-punch\/\" title=\"Lawyer For ... Victims: Maxwell\u2019s Potential Mistrial A \u2018Gut Punch\u2019\">convicted sex trafficker<\/a> before his appointment. Emails released in January also indicate Starmer was informed of Mandelson\u2019s ongoing relationship with Epstein prior to appointing him, a point he had to acknowledge in a Commons appearance as critics argued the security vetting was inadequate.<\/p>\n<p>Sarwar\u2019s calls come as 10 Downing street dismissed the resignation notion, arguing Starmer has a clear five-year mandate to deliver change. The controversy has dominated British headlines and sparked broader scrutiny of leadership and personnel within the Labour government, with Labour figures such as welsh leader Eluned Morgan also expected to weigh in. In the midst of the fallout, Starmer and his associates have faced sustained pressure to address the Mandelson\u2013Epstein connections and their political implications.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Keir Starmer defiant as Scottish Labour leader demands he resign over Mandelson affair<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2493768\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/scotland\/\">Scottish<\/a> Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar is demanding that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/keir-starmer\/\">British Prime Minister Keir Starmer<\/a> resign amid scandals he deems &ldquo;intolerable,&rdquo; but that will not be happening, according to 10 Downing Street.<\/p>\n<p>Sarwar, speaking at a Monday press conference in Glasgow, said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/uk-govt-lockdown-to-last-12-months-expect-repeated-vaccinations\/\" title=\"UK Govt: Lockdown to Last 12+ Months, Expect Repeated Vaccinations\">prime minister<\/a> must step down <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4447701\/epstein-files-implode-british-politics-peter-mandelson-prince-andrew\/\">amid political chaos <\/a>caused by revelations about former British Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson&rsquo;s close relationship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4450800\/venezuela-attorney-general-rearrest-opposition-leader-prison-release\/\">Venezuela attorney general orders rearrest of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >opposition leader hours<\/a> after prison release<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4450703\/hong-kong-pro-democracy-activist-jimmy-lai-sentenced-20-years\/\">Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4450580\/venezuela-opposition-figure-kidnapped\/\">Venezuela opposition figure kidnapped hours after release from prison<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;The distraction needs to end, and leadership in Downing Street needs to change,&rdquo; Sarwar told reporters, adding that &ldquo;there have been too many incidences where the wrong judgment calls have been made.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar speaks at a Glasgow press conference, calling for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down. (Photo by Robert Perry\/PA Images via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Affirming that he still considers Starmer a personal friend, Sarwar said he must &ldquo;put [his] country first.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Emails released in late January indicate that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4444202\/peter-mandelson-resigns-house-of-lords-starmer-epstein-scandal\/\">Mandelson<\/a>, prior to being appointed ambassador to the U.S.,&nbsp;received approximately $75,000 from Epstein and offered the convicted sex trafficker insights on political affairs while serving in former Prime Minister Gordon Brown&rsquo;s Cabinet. <\/p>\n<p>The story has dominated British headlines ever since, and the Labour government has tried to distance itself from the ambassador whom it selected, vetted, and appointed.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Keir Starmer is a decent man, and it is not secret that I have always got on well with him,&rdquo; Sarwar said, affirming that the prime minister has &ldquo;dedicated himself to public service.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>He praised the Labour government for accomplishing &ldquo;so many great things&rdquo; but said voters &ldquo;can&rsquo;t see them and they can&rsquo;t hear them&rdquo; amid the spectacle of the Mandelson affair.<\/p>\n<p>Sarwar said he spoke with Starmer before calling the press conference and that he will not be backing any particular alternative for leadership, stressing that he is only concerned with maintaining <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/labour-party\/\">Labour leadership<\/a> in Scotland.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Does this cause me personal hurt and pain? Of course it does,&rdquo; Sarwar said. &ldquo;This man is someone I regard as a friend and who I have a certain level of loyalty to. But my first priority and my first loyalty, has to be to my country, Scotland.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sarwar&rsquo;s demands fell on deaf ears &mdash; a spokesperson at 10 Downing Street released a statement in the middle of the Scottish Labour leader&rsquo;s press conference, entirely dismissing the notion of Starmer resigning.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Keir Starmer is one of only four Labour leaders ever to have won a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/impossible-gop-picked-up-seats-in-house-picked-up-state-legislatures-picked-up-governorship-held-the-senate-but-sniffy-joe-won-not-a-chance\/\" title=\"IMPOSSIBLE: GOP Picked Up Seats in House, Picked Up State Legislatures, Picked Up Governorship, Held the Senate -- But Sniffy Joe Won?... NOT A CHANCE\">general election<\/a>,&rdquo; the spokesperson said. &ldquo;He has a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister has been skewered on all sides of the British political sphere for his government&rsquo;s decision to appoint Mandelson. The sensitive information the ambassador shared with Epstein prior to his appointment includes forewarning of a multibillion-dollar bailout for the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/european-union\/\">European Union<\/a>, over $27 billion in asset sales, Labour tax plans, and even Brown&rsquo;s resignation.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador&rsquo;s residence on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Washington. (Carl Court\/Pool Photo via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A photo also emerged showing Mandelson interacting with a woman while wearing just a T-shirt and white briefs &mdash; as well as emails indicated Mandelson&rsquo;s romantic partner was receiving financial gifts from Epstein.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer was&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4445659\/tories-skewer-keir-starmer-peter-mandelson-misrepresented-epstein-relationship\/\">forced to admit<\/a>&nbsp;in front of the House of Commons on Wednesday that he had been informed of Mandelson&rsquo;s relationship with Epstein, which extended far past the financier&rsquo;s conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution, prior to appointing him as ambassador.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Did the official security vetting [the prime minister] received mention Mandelson&rsquo;s ongoing relationship with the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein?&rdquo; Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch asked.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Yes, it did,&rdquo; Starmer responded, stuttering at multiple points as jeers and gasps filled the House of Commons. &ldquo;As a result, various questions were put to him.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Since the scandal began, critics inside and outside the Labour Party have called for a thorough cleaning out of 10 Downing Street, asserting that all those involved in Mandelson&rsquo;s appointment must be fired.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4447701\/epstein-files-implode-british-politics-peter-mandelson-prince-andrew\/\">EPSTEIN FILES IMPLODE BRITISH POLITICS WITH &lsquo;BIGGEST SCANDAL&rsquo; IN &lsquo;OVER ONE CENTURY&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Morgan McSweeney, Starmer&rsquo;s chief of staff and right-hand man, resigned over the weekend following harsh blowback for his role suggesting Mandelson for the position and fighting to keep him in Washington following the initial emails tying him to Epstein leaked. Downing Street had stated just last week that Starmer retains &ldquo;full confidence&rdquo; in McSweeney.<\/p>\n<p>Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan is also expected to call for Starmer&rsquo;s resignation, though an official statement has not yet been made.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starmer urged to quit as Sarwar cites Mandelson link<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2567924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2260219718.jpg?w=594","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[33958,6522,73385,34755,37154],"class_list":["post-2567923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-labour-party","tag-resignation","tag-scottish-labour","tag-starmer","tag-uk-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2260219718.jpg?w=594","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567923","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2567923"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567923\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2567930,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567923\/revisions\/2567930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2567924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2567923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2567923"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2567923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}