Cabinet backs Starmer after Scots leader breaks ranks

CABINET ministers publicly pledged support to Sir Keir Starmer as he battled to remain in No 10 after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar yesterday called for him to quit.

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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar speaking in Glasgow yesterday, when he called on the Prime Minister to quit

Downing Street said Sir Keir had a “clear five-year mandate” from voters, while senior ministers backed him, with Labour's chief whip calling for an end to the party's “infighting”.

Last night, Sir Keir was greeted with huge cheers as he arrived to speak at a meeting of Labour MPs and peers. Journalists were not allowed in, but applause could be heard as Sir Keir spoke.

The Prime Minister's position is in jeopardy over his decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Sarwar hit out at “failures in the heart of Downing Street”, warning they were hurting Labour's chances in Scotland.