One backbencher publicly questioned Sir Keir’s leadership, saying the Prime Minister does not seem “up to the job”. Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, said his fellow Labour MPs were feeling “concerned, slightly downtrodden, a little bit browbeaten” and that there was a “very dangerous atmosphere” in the parliamentary Labour party. She asked whether the Foreign Office or Downing Street decided to dismiss any security concerns that were raised or change the vetting requirements for Lord Mandelson. Allies of Lord Mandelson told The Times that he had admitted in his vetting interview that he continued his relationship with Epstein for many years. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the departures of Ms Rayner and Lord Mandelson showed the Prime Minister’s “terrible judgment”.

Source: The Times September 13, 2025 11:29 UTC