Pippa Crerar
@pippacrerar.bsky.social
Political Editor, The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/pippacrerar
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/pippacrerar
Monday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer fights to regain control over party after McSweeney exit www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 8, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Monday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer fights to regain control over party after McSweeney exit www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Absolutely this.
Since Labour has been in government the lack of preparation and depth of thinking has been apparent but I think one of the biggest mistakes was going to war with the PLP so early. It stunned a lot of MPs to be told they could not even table amendments. This resentment is a massive part of the story.
February 8, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Absolutely this.
ANALYIS: For some, Morgan McSweeney’s resignation removes an obstacle to the eventual downfall of Keir Starmer himself - by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
For some, McSweeney resignation removes obstacle to eventual downfall of Starmer
Those pushing to oust the prime minister are unlikely to be deterred by his right-hand man’s departure
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:49 PM
ANALYIS: For some, Morgan McSweeney’s resignation removes an obstacle to the eventual downfall of Keir Starmer himself - by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
NEW: An email has just gone round No 10 staff confirming that the PM has asked Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson to be acting chiefs of staff, with immediate effect.
February 8, 2026 at 5:52 PM
NEW: An email has just gone round No 10 staff confirming that the PM has asked Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson to be acting chiefs of staff, with immediate effect.
NEW: Hearing that Starmer is considering making Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, Morgan McSweeney's deputies, his joint chiefs of staff.
February 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
NEW: Hearing that Starmer is considering making Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, Morgan McSweeney's deputies, his joint chiefs of staff.
NEW: McSweeney allies suggest he carried can for Starmer over Mandelson decision. They say it was wrong to suggest he pushed for appointment, and was careful to ensure others shared views, which were unanimous. “He gave his advice, but that’s all it was. Keir made the decision.”
February 8, 2026 at 4:43 PM
NEW: McSweeney allies suggest he carried can for Starmer over Mandelson decision. They say it was wrong to suggest he pushed for appointment, and was careful to ensure others shared views, which were unanimous. “He gave his advice, but that’s all it was. Keir made the decision.”
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
February 8, 2026 at 2:13 PM
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
Brilliant line up on @BBCRadio4 #WeekInWestminster - do listen!
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Week in Westminster - 07/02/2026 - BBC Sounds
Pippa Crerar assesses the latest developments at Westminster.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Brilliant line up on @BBCRadio4 #WeekInWestminster - do listen!
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
🌎 Natalie Fleet & Bernard Jenkin on Mandelson fall-out
🇪🇺 Anneliese Dodds & Peter Lilley on EU reset
💷 Kate Ogden & Chris Curtis on student loans
😱 Anthony Seldon & Anne Perkins on political scandals
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Labour MPs & party insiders tell me they’ve never seen Keir Starmer so angry as over Mandelson’s lies about Epstein links.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
February 6, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Labour MPs & party insiders tell me they’ve never seen Keir Starmer so angry as over Mandelson’s lies about Epstein links.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
But those who know him well say that anger has now turned inwards. That Starmer is, above all else, a man of public service, and will be grappling with his conscious this w/e.
V insightful analysis by @jessicaelgot.bsky.social on despair inside Labour party over Keir Starmer - and how what’s saving him for now is lack of obvious successor.
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
PM clings to power after a day when Commons mutiny filled the air, as fallout over Mandelson appointment continues
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:49 AM
V insightful analysis by @jessicaelgot.bsky.social on despair inside Labour party over Keir Starmer - and how what’s saving him for now is lack of obvious successor.
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Guardian | ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Friday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer in appeal to Labour MPs as pressure grows for No 10
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 6, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Friday’s @theguardian.com front page: Starmer in appeal to Labour MPs as pressure grows for No 10
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Pippa Crerar
We are 🅻🅸🆅🅴 comment below & share to join the debate
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Will the Mandelson-Epstein scandal bring down the Prime Minister? | ITV Peston
YouTube video by Peston
youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
We are 🅻🅸🆅🅴 comment below & share to join the debate
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Joining Robert and Pippa tonight 👇
🔵Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch MP
📺Broadcaster, Piers Morgan
🌹Labour, Becky Long-Bailey
🏴SNP Leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP
#Peston
youtube.com/live/vzma63Y...
Thursday’s @theguardian.com front page: ‘It’s over’ for Starmer, say Labour MPs amid fury over Mandelson www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Thursday’s @theguardian.com front page: ‘It’s over’ for Starmer, say Labour MPs amid fury over Mandelson www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
NEW: Govt has updated own amendment to allow ISC to vet Mandelson docs after Labour MPs warned they would vote down attempts to limit disclosures about appointment as ambassador.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
February 4, 2026 at 4:16 PM
NEW: Govt has updated own amendment to allow ISC to vet Mandelson docs after Labour MPs warned they would vote down attempts to limit disclosures about appointment as ambassador.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
Tories will back a/ment taking some immediate peril away from Starmer.
Reposted by Pippa Crerar
It’s shaping up to be another mad day in yet another mad week of politics 😮💨
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
February 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM
It’s shaping up to be another mad day in yet another mad week of politics 😮💨
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
So let Robert and Pippa give you the inside track on what’s really going on and what it really means tonight 👇
🔴 9PM LIVE X & YouTube
📺 1045PM ITV1
#Peston
ANALYSIS: Peter Mandelson scandal shortens odds on Keir Starmer following him out the door - @peterwalker99.bsky.social writes
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Mandelson scandal shortens odds on Starmer following him out the door
Appointment of the ex-ambassador despite tarnished past raises potentially fatal doubts about judgment of PM and his team
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:11 AM
ANALYSIS: Peter Mandelson scandal shortens odds on Keir Starmer following him out the door - @peterwalker99.bsky.social writes
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Mandelson latest👇
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Mandelson latest👇
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
Tories plan to use arcane parly procedure ('humble address') to push for release of internal documents relating to Mandelson's US ambo appt.
Rather than face difficult vote amid anger among Labour MPs, govt is not seeking to oppose Tory motion but instead will try to amend it.
Wednesday’s @theguardian.com front page: Met investigation into Mandelson over alleged Epstein email links www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
February 4, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Wednesday’s @theguardian.com front page: Met investigation into Mandelson over alleged Epstein email links www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
A few people asking about fascinating story by @rowenamason.bsky.social (which others have followed up/ expanded on) so sharing here 👇
She & @guardianheather.bsky.social revealed that Nigel Farage’s trip to Davos was hosted and paid for by the $10bn family trust of an Iranian-born billionaire.
She & @guardianheather.bsky.social revealed that Nigel Farage’s trip to Davos was hosted and paid for by the $10bn family trust of an Iranian-born billionaire.
February 3, 2026 at 8:41 PM
A few people asking about fascinating story by @rowenamason.bsky.social (which others have followed up/ expanded on) so sharing here 👇
She & @guardianheather.bsky.social revealed that Nigel Farage’s trip to Davos was hosted and paid for by the $10bn family trust of an Iranian-born billionaire.
She & @guardianheather.bsky.social revealed that Nigel Farage’s trip to Davos was hosted and paid for by the $10bn family trust of an Iranian-born billionaire.
BREAKING: Met police to formally launch criminal investigation into allegations that Peter Mandelson leaked Downing Street emails and market sensitive information to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
February 3, 2026 at 6:12 PM
BREAKING: Met police to formally launch criminal investigation into allegations that Peter Mandelson leaked Downing Street emails and market sensitive information to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
NEW: Reform UK says it would re-impose the two-child benefit cap - scrapped by Labour - for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs.
February 3, 2026 at 3:41 PM
NEW: Reform UK says it would re-impose the two-child benefit cap - scrapped by Labour - for most families to fund £3bn support package for pubs.
BREAKING: Lord Mandelson is to step down from the House of Lords immediately.
But he will keep his title as a peerage is bestowed for life - unless government changes the law.
But he will keep his title as a peerage is bestowed for life - unless government changes the law.
February 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
BREAKING: Lord Mandelson is to step down from the House of Lords immediately.
But he will keep his title as a peerage is bestowed for life - unless government changes the law.
But he will keep his title as a peerage is bestowed for life - unless government changes the law.
BREAKING: Met Police reviewing reports about Mandelson’s emails to Epstein to decide if to investigate.
“The Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.”
“The Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.”
February 2, 2026 at 7:24 PM
BREAKING: Met Police reviewing reports about Mandelson’s emails to Epstein to decide if to investigate.
“The Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.”
“The Met has received a number of reports relating to alleged misconduct in a public office. The reports will all be reviewed to determine if they meet the criminal threshold for investigation.”
NEW: Emily Thornberry, Labour chair of foreign affairs committee, says police should investigate emails.
"Surely this is not a matter of whether Mandelson should be in the Lords [but]... of whether the police should be involved."
SNP, Lib Dems and PC have all already called for police involvement
"Surely this is not a matter of whether Mandelson should be in the Lords [but]... of whether the police should be involved."
SNP, Lib Dems and PC have all already called for police involvement
February 2, 2026 at 5:11 PM
NEW: Emily Thornberry, Labour chair of foreign affairs committee, says police should investigate emails.
"Surely this is not a matter of whether Mandelson should be in the Lords [but]... of whether the police should be involved."
SNP, Lib Dems and PC have all already called for police involvement
"Surely this is not a matter of whether Mandelson should be in the Lords [but]... of whether the police should be involved."
SNP, Lib Dems and PC have all already called for police involvement