- Premier Starmer's director of communications resigns just day after his chief of staff stepped down amid Mandelson scandal
- Mandelson was sacked in September 2025, but new Epstein files suggested he shared confidential information with Epstein when he was business secretary in 2009
LONDON
Political turmoil continues in the UK politics as some expect UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take "more responsibility" amid fallout over the Peter Mandelson scandal linked to new Epstein revelations.
On Monday, Tim Allan resigned as director of communications for Starmer, just a day after the premier's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, stepped down amid the Mandelson scandal.
The mounting pressure came following the recent release of the Epstein files in the US, which showed ex-minister Mandelson's friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Although Mandelson stepped down from the House of Lords and the Labour Party, and Starmer apologized over his decision to appoint him, criticism has not been relieved yet amid the ongoing crisis.
Last week, Starmer said he was "sorry" for believing Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as ambassador to the US, as pressure continued to mount on him after he admitted to knowing about Mandelson's ties with Epstein.
Mandelson was sacked in September 2025, but new Epstein files suggested he shared confidential information with Epstein when he was a business secretary in 2009.
Speaking to Anadolu, Alison, 52, a London resident, said that what is happening since the latest Epstein revelations is "really a sad reflection" on a country that "prides itself on being democratic and being fair and being reasonable."
"To hear all of this very sleazy information coming out that's typified around deception and lies is a really poor reflection on our country. Our Great Great Britain doesn't feel very great at the moment," she noted.
Alison expressed her hope that the government can find a resolution and find "some integrity."
"And above all, in all of this, are young women who have been abused. And as a mother of a daughter, I think, morally, we're obliged to do something to sort that out, for this country to do the right thing."
Calling the situation a "muddle" and "mess," she stressed that it needs to be sorted out.
"Somebody needs to do some strong leadership, whether that's the prime minister or those around him, to make some tough decisions, but right decisions to make things right," added Alison.
She said that this is a "horrible" situation to be in, noting that it is mired in "sleaze and mistrust, and a lack of integrity" when there are some really important things going on in this country, in the world.
"Whether he (Starmer) should go today, I don't know, but somebody needs to do something and do something quickly," she added.
Starmer 'should take more responsibility'
For his part, Jonathan, 66, another London resident, said the prime minister should be better informed, adding he does not believe that Starmer did not know everything about Mandelson's Epstein ties when he appointed him as the US ambassador.
"Because I would imagine MI6 and MI5 kind of should know these things. So, whichever way you look at it, ... it's a failure of government, in my opinion," he added.
He added: "He should take responsibility. Whether it's a resigning issue, maybe a different discussion, but certainly to just to stand up."
Jonathan also said that generally in British politics, there is "a lack of taking responsibility," adding that it is why he is not sure whether Starmer would resign.
Liam, 70, also said he thinks the prime minister "should take more responsibility," also pointing out that he should have done better research on Mandelson before appointing him.
"At the end of the day, the responsibility falls back on the person in charge, who actually is Starmer, and I feel that's where the buck stops with the prime minister, who is Starmer," he noted.
Liam also said the government should release all related documents about Mandelson, because the public should be made aware of what is happening.
"So let the public form their view and form their opinion, ... let them research and read the files," he added.
