𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure as it has been revealed Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham met in secret on Friday (April 17). The pair are reportedly planning a leadership challenge against the existing Prime Minister.

Starmer remains in crisis following revelations that Peter Mandelson failed vetting checks before being appointed as the UK’s ambassador to the United States in 2025. It emerged on Thursday (April 16) that the Foreign Office overruled advice from UK Security Vetting (UKSV) who recommended against granting him clearance.

It has now emerged that Mr Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, held a secret meeting with the former deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary at around 6pm on Friday, purportedly to plot their leadership bid.

As reported by The Sun, a senior Labour MP said: “They will be carving it up. If Andy endorsed Angela for leader that will sway a lot of MPs to back her. Then she could get him a seat in Parliament and bring him straight into Cabinet.”

Another source said: “Everyone knows Angela and Andy both can’t run – they have to decide who is going to go for it. This is a nightmare for Keir just as the Mandelson scandal comes back to haunt him.”

Mr Burnham arrived at Ms Rayner’s house in Ashton shortly before 6pm on Friday, it is reported. Pictures of him outside the property have mounted pressure on the Prime Minister after a week where his premiership was thrown into turmoil.

Sir Keir has faced calls to quit following the latest revelations about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador. A Labour MP told The Express: “If that is proven incorrect then I think we are talking resignation time, to be honest.”

Sir Keir is set to stand before MPs on Monday (April 20) and detail how Mandelson was granted the top diplomatic post despite having failed security vetting. He previously claimed that “no minister was told” that he failed to pass the Developed Vetting (DV) process.

The PM will also face Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (April 22) with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelling the situation a “national scandal”. In a message to Tory supporters, Mrs Badenoch reiterated it was time for Sir Keir “to go”, adding that he has thrown people “under a bus over the Mandelson scandal”.

She told The Sunday Express: “The national scandal of Mandelson’s appointment has gone on for too long, and is distracting Keir Starmer and his ministers from the problems facing our country. Either Starmer is too incompetent to run his own Government, or is lying to Parliament and the public about what he knew.

“Either of these is a step too far. The British people deserve a Prime Minister focused on the serious national challenges we face, not trying to dig his way of out a hole of his own making. It is time for Starmer to resign.”

However, some senior Labour MPs have come to the defence of the Prime Minister. Nick Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, insists Sir Keir did not know Mandelson failed vetting prior to his appointment.

He said: “If the Prime Minister had been told Peter Mandelson had failed vetting he would have stopped the appointment. Obviously the Conservatives are weighing in. That’s what you’d expect.

“In the meantime, these are extraordinary times across the world. Our Prime Minister should continue to navigate the UK through these troubled waters. That’s what the country needs.”

Meanwhile, Carolyn Harris, the deputy leader of Welsh Labour, added: “In all the time I’ve known Keir Starmer, it’s been crystal clear to me that he is a man of the utmost integrity, both personally and professionally. I know he will be furious about what’s happened here.

“Naked political opportunists like Kemi Badenoch need to take a long hard look in the mirror before slinging around any more baseless accusations. I know Keir will continue leading us forwards with integrity and delivering in the country’s national interest.”