The leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Anas Sarwar, has publicly called for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign, expressing concerns that the current circumstances at Downing Street are detrimental to the party’s future prospects in the upcoming Scottish elections set for May. Sarwar acknowledged Starmer as a 'decent man,' but emphasized that the issues arising from the recent Epstein files disclosures are serious enough to warrant leadership change. This marks a significant shift in internal party dynamics, as Sarwar's comments reflect mounting pressures within Labour following damaging revelations.

Starmer’s leadership is now under intense scrutiny after the release of files linked to Peter Mandelson, the individual Starmer appointed as the UK's ambassador to Washington. The allegations within these files suggest that Mandelson was involved in passing sensitive government documents to Jeffrey Epstein and continued to associate with the convicted financier, raising serious ethical concerns. These troubling disclosures threaten to erode public confidence in Labour, signaling a precarious moment for Starmer, who had previously led the party to a significant electoral victory in July 2024.

The situation has escalated with the resignation of two senior advisors to Starmer in just 24 hours, highlighting the immediate fallout from the Epstein files scandal. Sarwar’s call for resignation not only puts pressure on Starmer but could also impact the Labour Party's strategy and unity leading up to the Scottish elections. With Labour attempting to strengthen its foothold in Scotland, Sarwar’s stance may reflect broader anxieties among party members regarding the direction and leadership credibility as they face a critical electoral challenge ahead.