Sir Keir Starmer next week faces another round of torment over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, amid claims that the prime minister’s authority is rapidly draining away, decisions are being shelved and his leadership is on the line.
“It feels like the end of days,” said one Labour official, normally supportive of Starmer, after a week in which he endured mocking laughter from MPs after setting out what he called the “incredible” latest revelations of the Mandelson affair.
Ministers and MPs are openly debating the process by which Starmer might be removed from Downing Street after what are expected to be dismal election results for the governing party on May 7. “I want him to stay, but I don’t know if it will be possible,” said one minister.