Kirill Dmitriev, the special representative of the Russian president, has called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign, calling it "the best case scenario for Britain".
„There is only one scenario that can help Starmer and the United Kingdom: „Resignation“, he wrote in X.
Dmitriev commented on a publication about leaked information about different versions of Starmer's speeches. Each text offers different excuses for the Peter Mandelson scandal.
The latest scandal surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson, a former British minister and ambassador to the United States, is related to allegations of abuse of power and links to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
On February 23, 72-year-old Mandelson was arrested by London police. The investigation focuses on suspicions of misconduct and abuse of office.
The scandal grew after the revelations in the so-called “Epstein dossier“. Mandelson is alleged to have had contacts with Epstein and to have lied about the nature and frequency of these contacts.
One line of inquiry is examining whether Mandelson, in his capacity as minister, passed sensitive market or confidential information to third parties.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed regret over his appointment as ambassador to the US and accused him of repeated lies.
It was revealed that Mandelson had taken up the post of ambassador despite failing a security clearance.
The scandal has prompted calls for Prime Minister Starmer to resign over shortcomings in the appointments process.
After his arrest, Mandelson was released on bail. The case led to a serious political crisis in Britain and the dismissal of senior officials in the Foreign Office.
Calls for the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer intensified in April 2026, mainly due to revelations surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
Starmer has been accused by the opposition of having lied to MPs, having previously stated that the full legal procedure had been followed in the appointment.
Critics, including members of his own Labour Party, consider his claim that he was unaware of the services' refusal to grant Mandelson access to be implausible. Instead of taking personal responsibility, Starmer has blamed civil servants, leading to the dismissal of senior diplomat Ollie Robbins.
Political observers say that if the prime minister is found to have deliberately ignored the advice of security services or lied to the House of Commons, it would be a breach of the code, requiring his immediate resignation.
Although Starmer has admitted the appointment was a "mistake" and apologised to Epstein's victims, he has strongly rejected calls to step down.