The Prime Minister faces a revolt within his own ranks as senior Labour figures demand the sacking of his chief of staff over the 'naive' appointment of Peter Mandelson.

The ghosts of New Labour have returned to haunt Keir Starmer, threatening to derail his premiership before it can fully find its footing. The Prime Minister is facing a full-blown mutiny as calls intensify for the head of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney. The catalyst is the disastrous appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, a decision that has exploded in Downing Street’s face following the resurrection of scrutiny over Mandelson’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"Weak, Naive, and Gullible"

The attack is coming from inside the house. Harriet Harman, the grande dame of the Labour Party and former deputy leader, has delivered a withering assessment of Starmer’s judgment, branding him "weak, naive, and gullible" for trusting Mandelson. Her intervention is significant, signaling that the unease is not limited to the party’s left fringe but has permeated its establishment core.

The scandal centers on what Starmer knew and when. McSweeney, the architect of Starmer’s election victory, is accused of pushing the Mandelson appointment despite the obvious reputational landmines. For a government that promised to restore integrity to public life, the optics are devastating.

• The Ultimatum: Labour MP Simon Opher has publicly called for a "clearout" at Number 10, explicitly naming McSweeney as the man who must go.
• The Epstein Files: The imminent release of files relating to Mandelson’s appointment is expected to add fresh fuel to the fire, with Downing Street bracing for more damaging revelations.
• The Defense: Number 10 insists McSweeney retains the PM’s confidence, a standard line that often precedes a high-profile resignation.

A Crisis of Judgment

This is no longer just about Peter Mandelson; it is about Keir Starmer’s political survival instinct. By tying his reputation to a figure synonymous with the "dark arts" of political maneuvering, Starmer has alienated his base and handed ammunition to his opponents. The narrative is shifting from a government of service to a government of sleaze.

As the pressure mounts, Starmer faces a brutal choice: sacrifice his closest aide to save his own skin, or double down and risk being dragged under by the Mandelson undertow. In the ruthless calculus of Westminster, loyalty is often the first casualty of survival.