Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer faced a turbulent start to the week after a senior aide resigned and Scotland’s Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly called for him to step down in the wake of the Mandelson scandal.

Sarwar’s intervention prompted a swift show of support from cabinet ministers, who moved to defend Starmer as speculation over his leadership intensified.

Among the most vocal backers was housing secretary Steve Reed, a close ally of the prime minister, who stepped forward to reinforce party unity.

While senior figures privately manoeuvre over Starmer’s future at the top of the Labour Party, publicly ministers, including Reed, have closed ranks, insisting he retains their support.

Friends of former housing secretary Angela Rayner have said she would be “ready” to stand if Sir Keir Starmer were to step down, though she has so far publicly backed the prime minister.

Rayner also issued a statement yesterday backing Keir Starmer after calls for the PM to quit.

In a post on X, the former deputy prime minister said: “The recent scandal around Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein was shocking – and demands that both this Government and our party learn the lessons, and act on them.

“But the worst possible response would be to play party politics or factional games. Labour is only getting started on changing things for the better – our Employment Rights Act, renters’ rights, leasehold reform, free school meals and lifting kids out of poverty.

“I urge all my colleagues to come together, remember our values and put them into practice as a team. The Prime Minister has my full support in leading us to that end.”