British PM Keir Starmer Faces Calls to Resign Over Epstein Files

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a member of the Labour Party, is facing renewed pressure to resign over the files of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The Details: Starmer, who was not accused of any wrongdoing and reportedly never met Epstein, is under pressure for appointing Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador now that newly released documents show that Mandelson had a close relationship with Epstein. Mandelson has since been dismissed, and Starmer's chief of staff and director of communications have also left office over the Mandelson situation. At present, senior UKministers are supporting Starmer after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged the prime minister to step down, and Starmer has refused calls to quit.

Key Quotes: "The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change," Sarwar said. "There have been too many mistakes." Starmer said, "I have been absolutely clear that I regret the decision that I made to appoint Peter Mandelson. And I've apologized to the victims, which is the right thing to do."

For Context: A 2010 email showed that Mandelson corresponded with Epstein while serving as Britain's First Secretary of State, tipping him off about a confirmed European Nnion bailout and the resignation of the UK's prime minister at the time. Read AllSides' analysis of Mandelson's contact with Epstein here. Since then, fallout from the release of the Epstein files has become an accountability test among several Western governments. In contrast, the U.S. has approached the backlash to the Epstein files differently. For example, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has faced calls for his resignation for his connection to Epstein, but the controversy has been brushed off so far.

How The Media Covered It: Reuters (Center bias) reported that Starmer has been trying unsuccessfully to change the narrative to keep focus on boosting the British economy and tackling the cost-of-living crisis. The Washington Times (Lean Right) reported that Starmer has also experienced "missteps and U-turns" over unpopular policies such as welfare cuts. The New York Times (Lean Left) reported that Sarwar has limited power since he is a member of the Scottish parliament and not the Westminster parliament, while senior U.K. ministers are supporting Starmer.

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