The row surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States has intensified, with fresh scrutiny on Prime Minister Keir Starmer following the release of government documents this week.
The files, which form part of the first tranche of official disclosures, reveal Starmer was repeatedly warned about the potential “reputational risk” linked to appointing the former Labour peer. Concerns centred on Mandelson’s friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The revelations have prompted renewed calls for the prime minister to step down. Starmer has acknowledged the controversy, saying he takes full responsibility for the appointment and expressing regret over the decision.
BBC’s Kay Burley Says Starmer Should Stay Despite Mandelson Row
Speaking on BBC Question Time, broadcaster Kay Burley said she does not believe the prime minister should resign, despite criticism surrounding the scandal.
Asked directly whether Starmer should step down, she responded: “No, he shouldn’t. “He’s a bit busy trying to keep us out of World War 3 at the moment.”
Burley was referring to the government’s approach to escalating tensions involving the United States and Iran.
Despite pressure from Washington, Starmer has declined to allow American forces to use British military bases for offensive action against Iran, stating that any involvement would only be for “defensive” and “limited” strikes.
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Burley added: “Yes it’s embarrassing for him, yes on balance he should have been more cautious and asked more questions. I can see why Mandelson would have been chosen, if not at random. He is a Trump whisperer, he’s very good at his job.
“But as it became more and more apparent that he was still involved with a wrong’un, then absolutely he was the wrong person for the job.”
She continued: “I’m not a supporter of Starmer, I think he has done lots of things which have not been very supportive for the country, I think he flip-flops a lot, but I don’t think he should resign.”
Debate Intensifies As Politicians Clash Over Accountability
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about political responsibility.
Times columnist Fraser Nelson also argued that forcing the prime minister out now could create further instability. Speaking on Question Time, he said: “Getting rid of Keir Starmer right now would destabilise the country even more.
“I think we’ve had enough of this constant rotation of prime ministers and just once I would love the electorate the chance to make that choice.”
Fiona Bruce, "Should the Prime Minister Keir Starmer resign over Mandelson?"
Kay Burley, "No, of course he shouldn't"
"He's a bit busy trying to keep us out of WWIII" pic.twitter.com/F8e7ZWdCLW
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) March 13, 2026
However, some politicians believe the situation demands stronger action.
Conservative MP Harriet Baldwin said Starmer should resign, stating: “He himself has apologised but not really said anything more than that or taken full responsibility. The way people take full responsibility in our democracy is they resign.”
Baldwin also questioned the £75,000 severance payment given to Mandelson after he left the ambassadorial role. She argued that public money should not have been used to prevent further embarrassment for the government.
Green Party Calls Mandelson Appointment A “Moral Failing”
Green Party MP Sian Berry also called for the prime minister to step down, arguing that the decision to appoint Mandelson showed poor judgement.
She said: “He chose to overlook those victims, overlook that fact, freely chose Mandelson as the ambassador. To me, that is a very big moral failing.”
The controversy continues to generate political debate as pressure grows on the government to explain the circumstances behind Mandelson’s appointment and subsequent departure.
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