Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, is expected to publicly call for Keir Starmer, the UK Labour leader and Prime Minister, to step down. This move comes at a time of mounting pressure on Starmer, particularly following controversy surrounding the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the UK. Mandelson's past association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, has become a focal point of criticism. The situation is developing rapidly, with Starmer's top aides, including Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney and Communications Chief Tim Allan, having already resigned. Sarwar's demand is significant as he represents the most prominent serving Labour politician to call for Starmer's resignation, potentially creating a substantial challenge to Starmer's authority.
Political Turmoil Deepens Over Mandelson Appointment
The political landscape is fraught with tension as Anas Sarwar prepares to make his public demand for Keir Starmer's resignation. This impending announcement, scheduled for a hastily arranged press conference in Glasgow, is anticipated to further destabilize Starmer's leadership. The controversy stems from Starmer's decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as Ambassador, a move that has drawn sharp criticism due to Mandelson's continued association with Jeffrey Epstein even after Epstein's conviction.
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The fallout from this appointment has already led to the resignations of key figures within Starmer's administration:
Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's Chief of Staff and closest advisor, stepped down, taking responsibility for the advice given regarding the Mandelson appointment.
Tim Allan, Starmer's Director of Communications, has also resigned.
These departures highlight the severity of the crisis and the significant pressure now bearing down on Starmer. The timing of Sarwar's intervention is particularly notable, occurring just before a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) where Starmer is due to address MPs, many of whom are reportedly angry over the Mandelson situation.
Sarwar's Calculations and Wider Party Dynamics
The decision by Anas Sarwar to call for Keir Starmer's resignation is seen as a calculated move, potentially influenced by the challenging electoral landscape for Scottish Labour. Opinion polls indicate that the Scottish National Party (SNP) is in a strong position to be re-elected to the Scottish government, while Scottish Labour appears to be in a difficult contest for second place with Reform UK.
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Some analyses suggest that Sarwar's action may be a strategic attempt to reposition Scottish Labour ahead of upcoming elections, believing that the party's prospects are unlikely to improve under Starmer's continued leadership. The specific nature of Sarwar's demand – whether it is for an immediate departure or a transition to a caretaker leader while a contest is arranged – remains a point of observation.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer himself has reportedly indicated a determination to remain in his post, with no immediate, obvious successor apparent within the party. Conservative politicians have also been observed urging Labour MPs to consider replacing Starmer, suggesting a broader political strategy to capitalize on the internal divisions.
The circumstances surrounding Sarwar's announcement are marked by a sense of urgency, with the press conference being described as "hastily arranged." This suggests a rapid escalation of events leading to this pivotal moment.
Evidence of Imminent Demand
Multiple news outlets have reported on Anas Sarwar's impending call for Keir Starmer's resignation. The timing and nature of the statements consistently point to a formal demand to be made imminently.
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The Guardian reports that Sarwar "is to call in Keir Starmer to stand down as prime minister and Labour leader at a hastily arranged press conference in Glasgow."
The BBC states that Sarwar "is about to become the highest-profile serving Labour politician to call for him [Starmer] to go."
The Standard confirms that Sarwar "will use a press conference to call for Sir Keir to quit as Labour leader."
The Herald indicates that "Sources tell The Herald that the Scottish Labour leader is expected to call for Starmer to stand down as Prime Minister."
The Huffington Post uses the phrase "hammer blow for the prime minister" to describe Sarwar's planned announcement.
The Gazette notes an "unscheduled press conference is due to be held at 2.30pm today, Monday, February 9, where Anas is widely expected to call for Starmer to leave his role."
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The convergence of these reports across different publications underscores the widespread expectation of Sarwar's critical intervention.
Starmer's Stance Amidst Pressure
Despite the mounting pressure and the imminent public demand from Anas Sarwar, Keir Starmer appears resolute in his position. Reports suggest that Starmer is "determined to stay put." This stance is occurring even as he faces scrutiny from his own party members.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has indicated that Starmer deserves support from backbenchers ahead of his address to the Parliamentary Labour Party. This suggests an effort to shore up internal support amidst the growing dissent.
The dynamic presents a clear division: Sarwar's overt call for resignation versus Starmer's apparent determination to remain in office.
Expert Commentary on the Political Fallout
Political analysts have begun to weigh in on the potential ramifications of Anas Sarwar's expected move.
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"This is a significant moment for Keir Starmer's leadership," commented one political observer. "While Sarwar is the leader of Scottish Labour, his public call for the UK leader to resign carries considerable weight. It forces a wider conversation within the party and puts Starmer under immense pressure, especially with parliamentary party meetings looming."
Another analysis noted the potential strategic considerations: "Sarwar's position in Scotland is already precarious. He may see this as a necessary step to redefine his own political direction, independent of Starmer, and to galvanize support in a challenging electoral environment."
The consensus among commentators points to this as a critical juncture, with the immediate future of Starmer's leadership hanging in the balance.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The evidence strongly indicates that Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, is poised to publicly demand the resignation of Keir Starmer as UK Labour leader and Prime Minister. This action is framed within the context of the controversy surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as Ambassador, given Mandelson's association with Jeffrey Epstein. The resignations of Starmer's Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, and Communications Chief, Tim Allan, precede Sarwar's anticipated announcement.
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The implications of this demand are substantial:
It marks Sarwar as the highest-profile serving Labour politician to call for Starmer's departure.
It places significant pressure on Starmer immediately before a meeting with potentially restive Labour MPs.
It highlights the difficult electoral position of Scottish Labour, which may be influencing Sarwar's calculations.
Keir Starmer's leadership is demonstrably facing a severe challenge. The coming hours and days will likely reveal the extent of the impact on his authority within the Labour Party and his future as its leader. The situation warrants continued monitoring to assess the internal party response and any potential shifts in Starmer's position or the wider political landscape.
Sources Used:
Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/343c2231-0f40-46de-aa01-025d81a7936d
Context: Article provides a general report on the expected announcement by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/09/starmer-mandelson-epstein-labour-mcsweeney-conservatives-latest-news-updates
Context: This live update article details Anas Sarwar's intention to call for Keir Starmer's resignation, mentioning the context of the Mandelson appointment and McSweeney's resignation.
Context: Reports on Sarwar becoming the highest-profile Labour figure to call for Starmer's resignation, discussing growing frustration and the potential impact on Scottish Labour's electoral prospects.
The Evening Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/keir-starmer-anas-sarwar-tim-allan-mps-parliamentary-labour-party-b1270252.html
Context: Confirms Sarwar's demand for Starmer to quit, linking it to the Mandelson scandal and mentioning the resignations of McSweeney and Allan.
The Herald: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25838402.anas-sarwar-call-keir-starmer-stand-prime-minister/
Context: Reports that Sarwar is expected to call for Starmer to step down as Prime Minister, citing sources and the Mandelson/Epstein issue.
The Huffington Post: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/hammer-blow-for-keir-starmer-as-scottish-labour-leader-anas-sarwar-to-call-on-him-to-quituk6989de1de4b0959e2d9386c2?origin=home-politics-grid-unit
Context: Describes Sarwar's planned announcement as a "hammer blow" and links it to McSweeney's resignation and the electoral context in Scotland.
The Gazette: https://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/25838573.anas-sarwar-call-keir-starmer-resign-glasgow/
Context: Reports on Sarwar's impending call for Starmer to resign as Prime Minister, detailing the time of the press conference and the Mandelson scandal as the catalyst.
The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-resignation-latest-news-anas-sarwar-mandelson-epstein-b2916704.html
Context: Focuses on Sarwar's expected demand for Starmer's resignation specifically over the Mandelson scandal.
