Media: UK prime minister may resign amid Mandelson-Epstein controversy

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer could resign within a week. The move comes after Peter Mandelson was appointed as the UK’s ambassador to the United States, sparking a scandal due to his ties to American financier Jeffrey Epstein, Bloomberg reports, citing sources within the ruling Labour Party.

According to the source, some Labour MPs were surprised that Starmer is still in office, given that he approved Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador.

Reports indicate that the Prime Minister’s office is expecting possible pressure from cabinet members: ministers may demand his resignation or threaten to resign themselves. One ministerial aide said the chances of Starmer lasting the week are “50-50.”

Bloomberg notes that the departure of Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney has left Starmer without support amid the ongoing Epstein-related scandal. According to a source, the Prime Minister has spent several days doubting whether he can continue without McSweeney. Labour Party members believe the only way to make it to the May local elections is by becoming a “lame duck.”

By Vugar Khalilov