Can Keir Starmer still lead the UK effectively after the Mandelson-Epstein scandal?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US despite staff warnings of reputational risk from his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson failed security checks and was fired by Starmer in September 2025 after lying about his Epstein links. Opposition leaders now call for Starmer's resignation amid poor Labour poll ratings and expected election losses.