Downing Street is refusing to back down against demands to fire top aide Morgan McSweeney, even as fury grows over the decision to name Peter Mandelson as the next US ambassador.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an apology to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for the appointment. Mandelson was a longtime friend of Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender. Despite the apology, Labour backbenchers have warned that Starmer’s own position will become "untenable" if McSweeney is allowed to stay in his post.

Tensions are rising as the government continues to delay the release of vetting files, which are the background check documents used to clear officials for high-level jobs. Meanwhile, opposition parties have seized on the scandal to call for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.