Keir Starmer branded an 'international embarrassment' by Andrew Rosindell over Peter Mandelson scandal: 'We need a general election!'

Georgia Pearce
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:42:55 +0000

Andrew Rosindell has demanded that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer step down from office, launching a scathing attack over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington.

Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK MP branded the controversy surrounding the diplomatic posting as "probably the worst political scandal I can ever remember" during his quarter-century in Parliament.

The MP accused Sir Keir of clinging to power whilst deflecting responsibility onto others.

"He continues to pretend it's nothing to do with him and other people are to blame for this disgrace," Mr Rosindell said.

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He expressed deep concern that Britain currently lacks a Prime Minister genuinely serving the nation's interests, suggesting Starmer believed his substantial electoral majority entitled him to act without constraint.

According to Mr Rosindell, the Prime Minister began making decisions immediately upon taking office that primarily benefited his inner circle and those to whom he owed political debts.

"Peter Mandelson had clearly been one of those people supporting Keir Starmer, and he thought he was giving him a gift," the MP stated.

Mr Rosindell argued that ambassadorial positions should never be handed out as rewards, insisting such roles must go to qualified and suitable candidates.

"I don't rule out a politician who has knowledge of those places and is appropriate to do that job, but clearly in the case of Peter Mandelson, he was an inappropriate person," he said.

The MP maintained that Sir Keir was fully aware Lord Mandelson was unsuitable yet "rode roughshod" over the obvious concerns, making the appointment purely for political reasons.

Mr Rosindell characterised the decision to send Lord Mandelson to Washington as a direct affront to America, given the numerous question marks surrounding the appointee.

"I think it's an insult to the United States that we didn't appoint a United Kingdom ambassador who was fit for purpose," he declared.

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The MP suggested that Americans would be justified in feeling aggrieved that Britain's most significant diplomatic posting went to someone so controversial.

He assessed the current state of UK-US relations as poor, despite what he described as the Government's "rather cringing" attempts to ingratiate itself with President Trump.

"Donald Trump respects strength, and I think that Peter Mandelson, by being made ambassador and being appointed by Keir Starmer to me, shows weakness," Mr Rosindell argued.

The Reform MP made clear his desire for an immediate general election, condemning the current administration as the most incompetent he has witnessed during his time in politics.

"I think that we have the worst Government I can ever remember in office," he said, adding that Britain under Labour leadership is experiencing decline and has become "a national, international embarrassment."

He cited the handling of the Chagos Islands situation as another example of mismanagement that has damaged relations with Washington.

"Keir Starmer should go. I think he no longer has - if he ever did have the confidence - of the British people," Mr Rosindell declared.

The MP said constituents in his area are calling for a change of Government, expressing his hope that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage would enter Downing Street "as soon as possible".