As It Arises that Epstein-Linked Mandelson Failed Security Vetting But Was Handed the US Ambassadorship Anyway, PM Starmer Is Again Under Maximum Pressure to Resign
Another day, another Keir Starmer scandal.
The Jeffrey Epstein crisis has resurfaced in the UK, with the revelation yesterday (16) that Peter Mandelson failed the security vetting conducted before his appointment as British Ambassador to the US.
While Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party cabinet swear that they were unaware of this fact, the opposition is questioning how a premier could not know, and is again demanding his resignation.
From the leader of the Conservative Party:
“The Prime Minister lied.
It’s now in the national interest he goes.”
Keir Starmer’s words…not ours.
We’re only holding him to the standards he set himself. pic.twitter.com/ukzRSnY6bS
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 17, 2026
Reuters reported:
“Starmer, under renewed pressure to resign, expressed anger on Friday over not being informed that his former ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, had failed security vetting before being handed the job.”
“This is one of the biggest scandals and problems of Keir Starmer’s career.”
Deputy Political Editor @samcoatessky reveals Peter Mandelson was denied access to the very highest level of security clearance, as the Prime Minister faces calls to resign.https://t.co/pomjsijW7G pic.twitter.com/dGUl6cZ1uZ
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 16, 2026
This comes three weeks before local elections in which Labour is widely expected to suffer big losses in England, Scotland and Wales.
“Starmer, who was in France on Friday for talks on the Iran crisis, told reporters it was unforgivable that he had not been told about Mandelson having failed security vetting ‘when I was telling parliament that due process had been followed’.
Starmer said he would ‘set out the relevant facts’ on Monday to parliament. A spokesperson for Starmer told reporters the prime minister had no plans to resign.”
BREAKING: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says it was “unforgivable” that he wasn’t told that former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson failed security vetting, stressing no minister was told https://t.co/Goufl72bXj
Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/qsofROOINC
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 17, 2026
Starmer’s government quickly fired the Foreign Office’s top official, Olly Robbins, trying to deflect the blame.
The Telegraph reported:
“The Prime Minister is facing calls to quit after blaming Foreign Office officials for appointing the disgraced peer as ambassador to the US despite him having failed the enhanced vetting process.”
‘Keir Starmer has misled Parliament, he’s misled the country and he’s tried to cover it up.’
Conservative MP Mike Wood calls on the Prime Minister to resign.
Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604
Become a Friend of GB News: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef pic.twitter.com/epskHhBvhy— GB News (@GBNEWS) April 17, 2026
“Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, rejected suggestions that Sir Keir should quit over the scandal, saying he blamed a ‘failing of the state’.
Asked whether it was time for Labour to consider Sir Keir’s position, he told Sky News: ‘No. And I think if you look at what’s going on in the world, not least in relation to the conflicts in the Middle East and what that’s doing for people’s living standards, energy bills, food prices… You need a credible, reliable, strong Prime Minister to be able to take the country through those difficult challenges’.”
If you still refuse to resign after your 20th national scandal, you are a dictator.
Keir Starmer is a dictator. pic.twitter.com/m0xxa7Ko4B
— Inevitable West (@Inevitablewest) April 16, 2026
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