UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected calls to resign amid a political crisis surrounding the appointment of the British ambassador to the United States and growing criticism within the Labour Party.

According to Reuters, on February 9 Prime Minister Starmer dismissed all demands for his resignation, including calls from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, as his government grapples with controversy over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington.

The appointment has drawn fierce backlash due to allegations that Mandelson maintained close ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Facing mounting pressure, Starmer has sought to contain the media fallout, though dissent within the Labour Party continues to intensify.

Sarwar’s public call for Starmer to step down, combined with the resignation of two senior advisers, has further fueled doubts over the prime minister’s leadership.

Communications Director Tim Allan stepped down just days after Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s closest adviser, resigned and accepted responsibility for advising on Mandelson’s appointment.

Despite Sarwar’s intervention, Starmer later received backing from several senior cabinet ministers and figures widely seen as potential leadership rivals. A positive atmosphere at a meeting with lawmakers suggested that his position is unlikely to face an immediate challenge.

“After working tirelessly for the chance to change this country, I am not prepared to abandon my responsibility to the nation or plunge Britain into chaos,” Starmer said, stressing that his priority is preventing Nigel Farage’s Reform Party from gaining power.

“This is my fight, it is our fight, and we are fighting it together,” he added.

Earlier, speaking in Scotland, Sarwar said he felt compelled to call for a change in leadership to protect Scotland’s interests, making him the most senior Labour figure to publicly demand the prime minister’s resignation.

The loss of another communications chief has subjected Starmer’s governing record to closer scrutiny, particularly policy missteps and reversals during nearly two years in office.

Nevertheless, he continues to enjoy the support of Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

The Mandelson scandal deepened further after the U.S. Department of Justice released documents suggesting that Mandelson may have shared discussions about UK asset sales and tax changes with Epstein during the global financial crisis.

Mandelson is currently under police investigation, while Prime Minister Starmer has defended his decisions. Starmer accused Mandelson of creating “a chain of lies” regarding his relationship with Epstein and pledged to release the full record related to the appointment process.