ANGELA Rayner has reportedly told her allies she is “ready” to replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
The former deputy-PM is leading a Labour revolt in the wake of fury over Starmer’s handling of Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Angela Rayner is reportedly “ready” to begin her bid for leadership as Labour MPs revoltCredit: AFP
After one MP commented that Sir Keir would have to resign following Wednesday’s vote on the Mandelson files, Ms Rayner told the MP “I will be ready”, reports the Daily Mail.
The former deputy PM has allegedly already gathered a £1 million “war chest” in her bid to oust Sir Keir.
But there is on fly in Ms Rayner’s ointment, her unresolved investigation which could stop her challenge before it has begun.
The reports come after Ms Rayner put pressure on Sir Keir by calling for the government to allow the intelligence and security committee to decide which of the files should be released.
Hours later No10 approved a Commons motion for the files to be published.
The files will now be made public rather than be assessed by Sir Keir’s top civil servant, as he wished.
In a further blow, the release of other papers the PM did want public was blocked by over fears they would prejudice their misconduct in public office investigation.
The PM has reportedly been “on the ropes” since he admitted on Wednesday that he knew of Lord Mandelson’s close ties to .
Angry and one frontbencher allegedly said the newest development felt “terminal”.
Sir Keir attempted to mitigate with an last night for hiring Lord Mandelson and tried to blame the security services for the vetting.
Backbenchers have said they would support Ms Rayner, but some MPs have added that she might feel unable to run while she waits on the outcome of the HMRC probe, reports The Telegraph.
HMRC is investigating Ms Rayner over her underpaying £40,000 in on her flat in Hove.
Why Starmer may yet be squatting in No10 for some time even though he doesn’t have many cards left to play
BY JACK ELSOM, Political Editor
Equally as many have no idea how or when the axe will fall.
The PM does not have many cards left to play but there are some crumbs of comfort in his favour.
Crucially, there is no obvious front-runner to succeed him. Instead, there are several likely contenders — and none is the complete package.
is adored by Labour members but definitely not voters, who will remember her very recent and unresolved tax scandal.
is popular with the public but viewed with suspicion by party rank-and-files as an overly ambitious Blairite.
Ditto , who talks far too tough on migration for woke activists to bear.
Andy Burnham has been buried.
And rumours of 2.0? Do me a favour…
Then there is the question of how to prise out a Labour PM who does not want to leave.
It’s much messier than the Tories, whose MPs could knife their leaders in secret without getting their hands bloodied.
A Labour coup would need 80 MPs to force a challenge.
But who would want to be the first?
A senior Cabinet resignation could trigger an exodus.
But it would need to be someone sure of getting a job under the next leader, which rules out many.
A rival leadership candidate declaring no confidence could be curtains.
But do they want to be leading the party into a local election thumping?
Starmer may be No10’s squatter for some time.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly hanging onto power by a threadCredit: PA
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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