Starmer Under Siege: Prime Minister Faces Fiery Commons Grilling
London, 11 February 2026 – Sir Keir Starmer has faced one of the most turbulent sessions of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) of his premiership today, as he battled to maintain authority over a fractured Labour Party. Amidst calls for his resignation from both opposition benches and members of his own party, the Prime Minister insisted he would “never walk away” from his mandate. The session was dominated by the escalating scandal surrounding Lord Mandelson’s past associations and controversial appointments within the administration.
Badenoch and Starmer Clash Over Mandelson Scandal
Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch used the weekly 30-minute session to launch a sustained attack on the Prime Minister’s judgement. The exchange focused heavily on the 2024 appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK Ambassador to the United States and subsequent revelations regarding his historical links to Jeffrey Epstein. Badenoch pressed Starmer on whether he was aware of the full extent of these ties before the appointment, leading to a tense atmosphere in the Chamber.
The Prime Minister was also reprimanded by the Speaker of the House during a heated exchange involving the SNP. Starmer was scolded for raising details of a “live case” concerning SNP embezzlement, which the Speaker ruled was a breach of parliamentary protocol regarding active legal proceedings.
Internal Labour Unrest
The pressure on Downing Street has intensified following the resignation of the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney. Reports suggest a “dark mood” among Labour backbenchers, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly calling for Starmer to step down. Despite the internal rebellion, Starmer used the dispatch box to reaffirm his commitment to leading the party into the next general election, defending his recent diplomatic visit to China and his government’s defence industrial strategy.
Key Facts: Prime Minister’s Questions
PMQs remains the primary constitutional convention for holding the head of government to account. Below are the essential details of the procedure and its history.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Schedule | Every Wednesday at 12:00 pm |
| Duration | 30 Minutes |
| First Experimental Session | 18 July 1961 |
| Original Format | Two 15-minute sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays) |
| Modern Format Established | 1997 (Consolidated into a single Wednesday session) |
| Primary Participants | Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Prime Minister facing calls to resign?
Sir Keir Starmer is facing significant pressure due to the “Mandelson Scandal,” involving the appointment of Peter Mandelson to a high-profile diplomatic role despite controversial historical links. This has been compounded by the resignation of his Chief of Staff and public dissent from senior Labour figures like Anas Sarwar.
What is the role of the Speaker during PMQs?
The Speaker of the House of Commons oversees the session to ensure order is maintained. They decide which MPs are called to speak and ensure that both the questions and answers adhere to parliamentary rules, such as avoiding comments on active legal cases (sub judice).
How are questions selected for PMQs?
MPs must table their names on the Order Paper in advance. A random shuffle selects the MPs who will be permitted to ask a question. However, the Leader of the Opposition is permitted to ask six questions, usually divided into two sets or asked consecutively.