The Latest Breaking News from Angela Rayner

Prime minister apologises to Epstein victims but seeks to pin blame on vetting process, amid growing calls from within Labour to sack his right-hand man

YOUR VIEWS: Our community has been discussing the growing pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, focusing on his handling of Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment, the release of sensitive vetting files, and Angela Rayner’s dramatic Commons intervention, with many questioning his judgment and calling for new Labour leadership

Starmer’s support for ‘rules that protect those in need’ overshadowed by concerns he knew about Mandelson’s Esptein links

MPs say release of papers on Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador could trigger leadership challenge

THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: As the Epstein scandal grows, the prime minister must learn the right lessons from his disastrous appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador – and that his best hope of surviving in office lies in being open and contrite

Lord Mandelson was sacked from his Washington role in September last year over his links with Epstein.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Her dramatic intervention in the Commons underlined the PM’s weakness and positioned her as his successor, writes political editor David Maddox

No 10’s misjudgment over Mandelson has left Labour MPs increasingly aware of the fallibility of the PM and his team

Prime minister’s own integrity and judgement under scrutiny as he admits he knew of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein – but appointed him US ambassador anyway