Starmer Faces Resignation Calls Over Mandelson Appointment

0:00On April 16, U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is under heavy fire after the foreign office overruled security experts to approve Lord Peter. Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. The top civil servant at the foreign office, Sir Ali Ravens, is stepping down because the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary of Vett Cooper lost confidence in him over this mess. Security officials had initially blocked Mandelson's top-level bedding clearance, but foreign office staff made the unusual call to override that. Starmer only learned about it earlier this week, and Downing Street sources say he's absolutely furious. Even former Foreign Secretary David Lamy didn't know until Thursday. Opposition leaders are piling on. With conservative head, Kimmy Botanash calling a preposterous and demanding Starmer quit if he can't keep track of, his own office. Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davy wants him to face Parliament right away, and parties like the Greens and Reform U.K. are echoing calls for resignation.

1:00This blows up all concerns about Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, which continued after the financier's conviction. Documents already out, shows Starmer got warnings on reputational risks before the appointment, and more files are coming at MP's request. Starmer's old chief of staff even to blame and push for vetting reforms. Meanwhile, Starmer heads to Paris tomorrow for a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Strait of Hormuz. But this scandal shows no signs of fading as pressure builds from all sides.