Starmer insists 'majority' of Labour MPs back his leadership

Sir Keir Starmer has asserted that the vast majority of Labour MPs support his leadership and want him to continue in his role as prime minister.

He made these remarks in an interview with the Sunday Times amid growing speculation about a potential leadership challenge within his party.

Starmer acknowledged that political speculation is common but emphasized that many MPs are loyal and focused on their work.

He said most Labour MPs are pleased to be in power and want to get on with their job without making noise or speaking to journalists.

The prime minister has faced criticism from opposition parties and some within Labour following revelations that UK security officials had raised concerns about granting vetting clearance to his nominee for UK ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson.

Starmer revealed that security officials had recommended against the clearance but that this information was not passed on to him.

Starmer defended his decision to dismiss the senior civil servant Sir Olly Robbins, who had failed to inform him about the security vetting concerns.

He expressed regret that the prime minister was not informed about the "double red flag" against the clearance but rejected the notion that he should not have been told.

Sir Olly Robbins told MPs he was not informed of a formal recommendation to deny clearance but only that officials were "leaning against" it.

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