Sir Keir Starmer has brazenly claimed he “ended the week much stronger” than he began it, despite days of chaos that left his authority hanging by a thread. His premiership was battered by the furore over the appointments of Lord Peter Mandelson and Lord Matthew Doyle, both dogged by controversy over links to sex offenders, three high-profile departures from Downing Street, and an extraordinary call from the Scottish Labour leader for him to step aside. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the Prime Minister insisted his party and Government were “completely united” on defence and forging closer ties with the European Union. He was pressed during a panel discussion on whether the turmoil had left him exposed to attacks from Reform UK and the Conservatives. Read more: True scale of Labour's 'pointless spending' on diversity staff disclosed Read more: UK's top EU negotiator slams door on Brexit reversal referendum The Labour leader shot back: “No, I reject that. I ended the week much stronger than I started it. And that’s a very good place to be. My party and my Government is completely united on Ukraine, on defence and security, and on the need for stronger relations with Europe — on defence, on security and on the economy as well. So I think there is real strength in the position…
Published: February 14, 2026 3:48 pm
Source: Daily Express — Read original