- Sir Keir Starmer is facing a political crisis after accusations that he ignored information about Lord Peter Mandelson’s links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
- The prime minister said he would not have appointed Lord Mandelson as US ambassador if he had known the full "nature and extent of the relationship" with Epstein, which emerged from emails.
- Lord Mandelson was sacked after new revelations showed he questioned Epstein's conviction, which Sir Keir said conflicted with his government's approach to violence against women and girls.
- Adding to the crisis, a key aide, Paul Ovenden, resigned over accusations of sending explicit emails about veteran MP Diane Abbott.
- Labour is facing significant public opinion problems, with pollsters suggesting the party "is yet to hit rock bottom" following recent by-election losses to Reform.
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