{"id":15331,"date":"2026-02-09T03:37:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T03:37:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/starmer-should-resign-as-well-mps-demand-as-key-aide-quits\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T03:37:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T03:37:46","slug":"starmer-should-resign-as-well-mps-demand-as-key-aide-quits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/starmer-should-resign-as-well-mps-demand-as-key-aide-quits\/","title":{"rendered":"Starmer should resign as well, MPs demand, as key aide quits"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-dfb011b6-0 dncfJv\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 fMIAOk adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 iEpzep\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-12aa4a36-0 gQVHPI\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 cRMyzw\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 kekTYX\" readability=\"4.6184210526316\">\n<div readability=\"5.6842105263158\">\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 jMFiFd\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 dLDTDi\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-02-09T06:07:43+11:00\">February 9, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 6:07am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 hMrcSL noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 cbqDrw\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo\" readability=\"8.5431472081218\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 bnZsbn sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 dpTpUw sc-369d9219-0 ipWbwh\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"9\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 eGTSJh\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 crcSSW\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 dXbfCd gDnvwr gxYZHU\">Got it<\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 fKewKr\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmQUR\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 kfmPpl\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-67b869c7-6 cFwlqx\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"23.089519650655\">\n<p>A senior aide to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned over the uproar at the choice of Peter Mandelson as the nation&rsquo;s ambassador to the US despite the former minister&rsquo;s known friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.<\/p>\n<p>In the latest move to rock the British government, Morgan McSweeney quit as the prime minister&rsquo;s chief of staff and took the blame for advising his boss to appoint Mandelson to the prestigious post.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.514%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0b0e91e43d91e05b522a63f6cbfd458c68d9f371, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.514%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0b0e91e43d91e05b522a63f6cbfd458c68d9f371 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.514%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0b0e91e43d91e05b522a63f6cbfd458c68d9f371, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.514%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0b0e91e43d91e05b522a63f6cbfd458c68d9f371 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Morgan McSweeney was Keir Starmer&rsquo;s chief of staff.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.514,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/0b0e91e43d91e05b522a63f6cbfd458c68d9f371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.514%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0b0e91e43d91e05b522a63f6cbfd458c68d9f371, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.514%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0b0e91e43d91e05b522a63f6cbfd458c68d9f371 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Morgan McSweeney was Keir Starmer&rsquo;s chief of staff.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But the decision did not stop some Labour backbenchers from calling for Starmer to be replaced, highlighting the crisis of confidence in the leader and the turmoil within the governing party.<\/p>\n<p>One former Labour cabinet minister, Lord Blunkett, said the party was behaving like &ldquo;ferrets in a sack&rdquo; and said MPs needed to end the disunity, but the latest move only heightened the media commentary about a leadership spill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"20.438047559449\">\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>Starmer named Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the US in December 2024, but admitted last week he knew at the time that the former Labour cabinet minister had stayed in touch with Epstein after the sex offender served time in prison.<\/p>\n<p>That admission has heightened questions about the prime minister&rsquo;s judgment despite his public apology for the appointment and his explanation that Mandelson lied about the Epstein friendship during security vetting for the US post.<\/p>\n<p>McSweeney took the blame for poor advice and quit on Sunday in London (early on Monday, AEDT) in a move that appeared to be designed to ease the pressure on the prime minister.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,&rdquo; McSweeney said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"27.960040983607\">\n<p>&ldquo;When asked, I advised the prime minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice. In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>McSweeney, 48, helped direct the Labour campaign that delivered victory at the 2024 election, but he was blamed by colleagues for political mistakes and became a regular target in media coverage about Starmer.<\/p>\n<p>The resignation adds to a series of departures from the prime minister&rsquo;s office since the July 2024 election. The previous chief of staff, Sue Gray, left after only 93 days in the post.<\/p>\n<h3>Calls for Starmer to quit<\/h3>\n<p>In a sign that the resignation will not stop some critics from trying to drive Starmer out of office, <em>The Telegraph<\/em> of London quoted an anonymous Labour source who said McSweeney did not make the Mandelson appointment and should not be the one taking responsibility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"20\">\n<p>Labour MP Brian Leishman, a member of the Socialist Campaign Group within the party, called on Starmer to consider stepping down.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;McSweeney was at the heart of the political mistakes made since the general election,&rdquo; said Leishman, who entered parliament in July 2024.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 fhsnES\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 bsFdcS\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.096%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d77e791667fe2d4bad83917bbf8a62d3dd4aa8b1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.096%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d77e791667fe2d4bad83917bbf8a62d3dd4aa8b1 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.096%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d77e791667fe2d4bad83917bbf8a62d3dd4aa8b1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.096%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d77e791667fe2d4bad83917bbf8a62d3dd4aa8b1 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Starmer and colleague Angela Rayner. Rayner remains popular within Labour despite her resignation over tax issues last year.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.096,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/d77e791667fe2d4bad83917bbf8a62d3dd4aa8b1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.096%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d77e791667fe2d4bad83917bbf8a62d3dd4aa8b1, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.096%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/d77e791667fe2d4bad83917bbf8a62d3dd4aa8b1 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 bnWZMz\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 eROwEo\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 hMRMLa\"><span>Starmer and colleague Angela Rayner. Rayner remains popular within Labour despite her resignation over tax issues last year.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jnumBu\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jkEJCb\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;He helped create this factionalism in the Labour Party. The country and party will be better off after today.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The PM must consider following McSweeney&rsquo;s lead one last time and doing the same.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"27.5\">\n<p>The statement highlighted the push by the left of the party for a shift in direction from Starmer&rsquo;s centrist approach, with former deputy leader Angela Rayner seen as the likely champion for a different course on budget and welfare policy.<\/p>\n<p>Rayner, however, is facing an inquiry over her admission that she did not pay tax properly on one of her residential properties, the cause of her resignation from the ministry last year.<\/p>\n<p>Disaffected MPs on the right have suggested Health Minister Wes Streeting as a future prime minister, but his critics have claimed he was too close to Mandelson in the past.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-testid=\"pull-quote\" class=\"sc-e5732b89-0 bkHEmd\" readability=\"8\">\n<p>&lsquo;When people see a party acting like ferrets in a sack, they draw the conclusion. So once again, let&rsquo;s try and get our act together.&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p><cite class=\"sc-e5732b89-1 SbURO\">David Blunkett, former Labour minister<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Another Labour MP in the Socialist Campaign Group, Richard Burgon, blamed the &ldquo;nasty factionalism&rdquo; in the party for the leadership turning a blind eye to Mandelson&rsquo;s relationship with Epstein.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"30\">\n<p>&ldquo;We need a total clear out at the top of the party,&rdquo; Burgon said on X, without naming Starmer as one of those who should be removed.<\/p>\n<p>A third MP, Ian Byrne, also a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, said the government&rsquo;s problems would not stop with a single resignation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A true change in political direction must now come from &ndash; and be led from &ndash; the very top,&rdquo; he posted on X.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The PM must now reflect honestly on his own position and ask whether, for the good of the country and the Labour Party, he should follow McSweeney&rsquo;s lead.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The public calls for a change in government direction are raising questions within Labour about whether elevating a new leader would defy the mandate from British voters, given that the last election put Starmer in power with a centrist policy agenda.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"26.404195804196\">\n<p>Lord Blunkett, who was a cabinet minister during the prime ministership of Tony Blair, spoke on the BBC against a leadership spill.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-0 QbJUT\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-4dc7bff5-1 fNPBEP\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\" class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 cMGLSH\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 hUTlgn\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 bXqpHm\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5171%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f19ea59c34f662b008c31646a05ec1f3b91599f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5171%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f19ea59c34f662b008c31646a05ec1f3b91599f0 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5171%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f19ea59c34f662b008c31646a05ec1f3b91599f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5171%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f19ea59c34f662b008c31646a05ec1f3b91599f0 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Keir Starmer is facing tough questions over what he knew of Labour peer Peter Mandelson&rsquo;s (left) relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.5171,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/f19ea59c34f662b008c31646a05ec1f3b91599f0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5171%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/f19ea59c34f662b008c31646a05ec1f3b91599f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5171%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_26\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/f19ea59c34f662b008c31646a05ec1f3b91599f0 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 jiJqza\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&ldquo;I appreciate, after all these years in the Labour Party, after 60 years, that things are dire,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But they&rsquo;re made more difficult by briefings and counter-briefings. When people see a party acting like ferrets in a sack, they draw the conclusion. So once again, let&rsquo;s try and get our act together.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Before his elevation to the House of Lords, David Blunkett served as secretary of state for education and employment, home secretary, and secretary of state for work and pensions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hBgktT adWrapper noPrint sc-67b869c7-3 gsRMal\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-80607c67-0 byCHjx\" readability=\"24.413875598086\">\n<p>With Labour MPs openly divided over the government&rsquo;s leadership and direction, opponents predicted the removal of Starmer after elections due in early May for local councils and the parliaments of Scotland and Wales.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My money says Starmer won&rsquo;t be far behind after Labour&rsquo;s disaster in the elections this coming May,&rdquo; said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has gained ground in the polls while Starmer has lost support.<\/p>\n<p>Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Starmer had blamed Mandelson for lying and was now letting McSweeney take the blame for the appointment.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Keir Starmer has to take responsibility for his own terrible decisions. But he never does,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <b class=\"exceeded-words\">Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 gMidPz\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bXzMFW noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 fDvLNJ\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 cGFoDo sc-780f6c39-3 csnzsK\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 bYQiGM\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 bRyYMS\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 bBuibL\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 BgjOX sc-d1b14060-3 bnLMbo\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 NcyxX\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ckGUXQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 iROwGF\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"David Crowe\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 cJPmxL\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 iaHQXJ\"><span>David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 jVqFia\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 eKUqbd sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 ea-dUAB\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 qhIfr\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 dKvVOU\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 aNDAi\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 hgOejj adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 gRrJfI\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 kRjajv\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>Starmer should resign as well, MPs demand, as key aide quits<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement February 9, 2026 &mdash; 6:07am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it News :&lt;div&gt;12 weeks&#8217; jail for school IT support technician who took&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/starmer-should-resign-as-well-mps-demand-as-key-aide-quits\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Starmer should resign as well, MPs demand, as key aide quits&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15332,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}