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© France 24 09:28 Starmer faces pressure as McSweeny resigns: Police throw curveball on files UK Issued on: 08/02/2026 - 21:26

Pressure is mounting on British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to step down, with criticism coming from both the opposition and within his own party. The crisis follows the release of the Epstein Files. While Starmer is not implicated, controversy surrounds his choice of US ambassador, Peter Mandelson, who resigned last September over leaked emails linking him to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and now faces a criminal investigation, which he denies. Questions over Starmer’s judgement have intensified, with his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigning and taking responsibility for the appointment. France 24’s Gavin Lee is joined by James Lyons, former Director of Downing Street Communications under Keir Starmer (2024–2025).