Minister credits Starmer for ‘taking responsibility’ over Mandelson ahead of key meeting with Labour MPs – UK politics live

2026-02-09 - 09:55

Jacqui Smith defends prime minister following resignation of Morgan McSweeney amid Mandelson scandal The Labour MP Andy McDonald told the Today programme this morning that it would be “the end” for Keir Starmer’s leadership if he failed to persuade backbenchers that he will change the way he operates for the better. McDonald said: If [Starmer] doesn’t own the error he’s made, and recognise the problem in front of it and articulate it and tell us how he’s going to deal with it, then I’m afraid it is coming to an end – if not today, but certainly in the weeks and months ahead. He’s got to convince the PLP tonight that he’s got it and a change is necessary. [Claiming] ‘I was badly advised’ is not a good excuse for a leader. Advisers advise, leaders decide. He made a bad decision, he should take responsibility for that ... this man said that he was the chief prosecutor for the country, when did he start believing everything that people told him? Peter Mandelson had been sacked twice for unethical behaviour. [Starmer] is allowing someone else to carry the can for a decision that he chose to make. But the real problem is that this country is not being governed. Continue reading...