Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to resign as PM – video

Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, publicly called for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign on Monday, February 9, 2026, following a surge of controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. Speaking in the wake of damaging new revelations from files linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, Sarwar argued that the Prime Minister's leadership had become a liability to the party’s mission. The Scottish leader emphasized that the administration's persistent failures and scanning headlines have effectively neutralized any policy accomplishments the government has managed to achieve since taking office. The political crisis intensified this week after leaked documents revealed deeper connections between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein, sparking a firestorm of criticism over Starmer’s judgment in selecting Mandelson for such a high-profile diplomatic role. While the Prime Minister initially defended the appointment, the pressure from within his own party has reached a breaking point. Sarwar’s intervention is seen as a significant blow to Starmer’s authority, as it marks a rare and public breakdown in unity between the Westminster leadership and its Scottish counterpart. Opposition figures and several backbench Labour MPs have joined the chorus of dissent, suggesting that the government’s focus has been entirely consumed by damage control rather than governance. The Epstein file revelations have provided political ammunition for those who believe the current leadership is out of touch with public expectations regarding transparency and integrity. As the calls for a leadership transition grow louder, the Labour Party faces a period of intense internal instability that threatens to overshadow its legislative agenda for the remainder of the term.