Allies hope aide’s departure can quell anger over Mandelson scandal but others say it leaves PM dangerously exposed
00:25
THE
HEAR
This page is an archive of main headlines from the UK for 09.02.2026.
It displays 186 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
09.02.2026 ⇢ The Day Anas Sarwar Called for Starmer’s Resignation
⌨Morning coverage focused on the fallout from Morgan McSweeney’s resignation, with editors across the spectrum framing Keir Starmer’s leadership as increasingly untenable. The narrative shifted from a strategic loss to a total collapse of authority following the sentencing of British citizen Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong and the resignation of Downing Street’s communications director, Tim Allan, by midday.
Early afternoon marked a critical escalation as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation, a move highlighted by both broadsheets and tabloids as a pivotal internal revolt. Simultaneously, editorial priority pivoted to the Royal Family, as police began assessing claims that Prince Andrew shared confidential trade reports with Jeffrey Epstein, followed by an unprecedented statement of 'profound concern' from King Charles III.
By evening, the media reported on a defiant showdown in the House of Commons, where Starmer told Labour MPs he would not 'walk away,' despite reports of leadership maneuvers by Cabinet ministers.
Early afternoon marked a critical escalation as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation, a move highlighted by both broadsheets and tabloids as a pivotal internal revolt. Simultaneously, editorial priority pivoted to the Royal Family, as police began assessing claims that Prince Andrew shared confidential trade reports with Jeffrey Epstein, followed by an unprecedented statement of 'profound concern' from King Charles III.
By evening, the media reported on a defiant showdown in the House of Commons, where Starmer told Labour MPs he would not 'walk away,' despite reports of leadership maneuvers by Cabinet ministers.
09.02.2026
00:25
00:53
BBC
Stocks surge with Japan PM Takaichi on track for landslide election win
Her ruling party and coalition partner are poised to sweep the majority of seats in the lower house.
00:53
01:00
BBC
Japanese stocks surge with PM Takaichi on track for landslide election win
Her ruling party and coalition partner are poised to sweep the majority of seats in the lower house.
01:00
01:14
02:03
BBC
Hong Kong court to sentence pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai
Lai, who also holds a British passport, faces life in prison under the city's controversial national security law.
02:03
02:10
02:11⇢The Architect Abandons the Sinking Ship
⌨British editors are focusing on the fallout from Morgan McSweeney's resignation as Keir Starmer's chief of staff, linked to the Mandelson-Epstein scandal. Right-leaning outlets frame the exit as a sign of terminal weakness (Daily Mail, The Telegraph, Breitbart London), while broadsheets analyze the Prime Minister's loss of a key strategic architect (The Guardian, The Times, The Independent). The consensus across the spectrum (Sky News, BBC News, Metro, Evening Standard) identifies this as a critical moment for Starmer's leadership.
02:17
BBC
Hong Kong court jails pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for 20 years
Lai was sentenced for offences under the Beijing-imposed controversial national security law.
02:17
02:51
The Guardian
Lai’s conviction under national security law attracts the most severe penalty band of 10 years to life imprisonment. Follow the latest developments, live
02:51
03:05
Sentencing of media tycoon is the culmination of a years-long saga that critics say represents Hong Kong’s transformation from a mostly free city to one where dissent is fiercely suppressed
03:05
03:18
03:25
04:33
The Economist
Protecting your portfolio from a crash looks harder than ever
04:33
06:13
New Statesman
We must dispense with the failed politics and toxic methods of the Blairites for good
06:13
06:28
06:28
An enormous new mandate will allow her to ignore opposition
06:28
06:49
BBC
UK vows to 'rapidly engage' with China as Hong Kong court sentences Jimmy Lai to 20 years
Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, was sentenced for offences under the controversial national security law.
06:49
06:56
07:02
UK | Barney Davis
07:02
07:09
07:09
07:16
BBC
Hong Kong court jails pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai for 20 years
Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, was sentenced for offences under the controversial national security law.
07:16
07:16
Showbiz | Brooke Ivey Johnson
07:16
07:17
Live | Live
07:17
07:17
07:37
07:39⇢Starmer Battles a Hollowed Throne
⌨UK editors are prioritizing the internal collapse of Keir Starmer's government following Morgan McSweeney's resignation (Sky News, The Independent, Evening Standard, The Telegraph, Breitbart London). Conservative-leaning outlets frame the departure as a fatal blow to the Prime Minister's authority (Daily Mail, The Spectator, Spiked), while the sentencing of British citizen Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong emerges as a secondary focal point for broadsheets (The Guardian, BBC News).
07:44
08:26
BBC
Hong Kong court jails media tycoon and British citizen Jimmy Lai for 20 years
The former pro-democracy newspaper publisher was sentenced for offences under the controversial national security law.
08:26
08:26
HuffPost UK
08:26
08:33
08:47
09:00
09:00
The Telegraph
09:00
09:06
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
09:06
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09:20
The Telegraph
09:20
09:27
09:27
09:34
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10:19
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10:43
Exclusive: Multimillion-pound contract raises concerns about controls designed to prevent firms unwittingly aiding destruction of Ukraine, specialists say
10:43
10:43
The resignation of the prime minister’s right-hand man is less an honourable move to save Starmer’s legacy, more like a rat leaving a sinking ship, writes Steven Methven.
10:43
10:44⇢Royal Concern Pierces Epstein Silence
⌨The UK media has shifted focus to the Royal Family's first formal response to the Jeffrey Epstein files, with widespread reporting on the Prince and Princess of Wales expressing deep concern over Prince Andrew's links (Daily Mail, Sky News, The Independent, The Mirror, Evening Standard). Simultaneously, right-leaning and political outlets continue to frame Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership as failing following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney (The Telegraph, Novara Media, The Spectator, Breitbart London).
11:04
From the hectoring TradCaths to Tommy Robinson’s carol services, mixing faith and politics damages both.
11:04
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11:12
The Telegraph
11:12
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HuffPost UK
11:19
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
11:48
11:55
It comes after documents released in the US revealed new allegations about Epstein's ties with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
11:55
11:55
12:02
UK | Luke Alsford
12:02
12:17
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12:17
12:18⇢Starmer's Inner Circle Crumbles
⌨British editors are focused on the rapid disintegration of Keir Starmer's inner circle following the resignation of his communications director (Daily Mail, Sky News, The Independent, Evening Standard, HuffPost UK, The Telegraph, The Spectator). Simultaneously, the Royal Family's unprecedented intervention regarding the Epstein files marks a significant shift in the narrative surrounding Prince Andrew (BBC News, Metro, Daily Mail). Left-leaning and conservative outlets remain divided on whether this signifies a terminal collapse (Novara Media, Breitbart London).
12:23
Lai's supporters say this amounts to a death sentence, but authorities say it demonstrates the rule of law.
12:23
12:23
HuffPost UK
12:23
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12:38
Sky News
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
12:38
12:44
12:45
12:52
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s recently appointed communications director resigned on Monday, just hours after the departure of his chief of staff, as the government struggles to survive the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
12:52
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
13:00
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13:21
Ghislaine Maxwell, the jailed associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will invoke her Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination.
13:21
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13:21
New Statesman
The prime minister paid tribute to former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney
13:21
13:22⇢Prince Andrew's Secrets Under Police Scrutiny
⌨The UK media has shifted focus to a criminal dimension within the monarchy, reporting on a police probe into allegations that Prince Andrew shared confidential trade documents with Jeffrey Epstein (Daily Mail, Sky News, The Independent, The Mirror, Metro). Simultaneously, the government's internal collapse intensifies as Keir Starmer's communications director follows his chief of staff in resigning (Breitbart London, The Telegraph, The Spectator, Evening Standard, Novara Media).
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
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14:03
Mehdi Hasan’s attack on the Iranian rebel Masih Alinejhad was a vile act of woke intolerance.
14:03
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14:22
The Spectator
14:22
14:30
The Spectator
14:30
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14:43
Sarwar says ‘the distraction needs to end’ as he becomes most senior Labour figure to call for PM to stand down
14:43
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14:45⇢The Scottish Leader Abandons Starmer
⌨The UK media has converged on a pivotal escalation of the government crisis, as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer's resignation (The Guardian, Daily Mail, The Independent, The Mirror, Evening Standard, The Telegraph, The Times). While Downing Street denies an imminent departure (Metro), editors highlight the departure of key staff and expanding police interest in the Prince Andrew and Epstein connection (Sky News, Breitbart London).
14:50
BBC
Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to step down, saying the 'distraction needs to end'
Anas Sarwar says the government's performance has been "not good enough". His intervention comes after Starmer's director of communications and chief of staff both quit.
14:50
14:50
The Guardian
Sarwar says ‘the distraction needs to end’ as he becomes most senior Labour figure to call for PM to stand down
14:50
14:50
HuffPost UK
14:50
14:50
Politics | Craig Munro
14:50
14:50
The Spectator
14:50
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15:03
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15:22
The ransom deadline is fast approaching in the kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie.
15:22
15:22
The Guardian
David Lammy and Rachel Reeves among senior party members to express confidence in the prime minister
15:22
15:38
BBC
Scottish Labour leader calls for Starmer to quit as several cabinet members say they back PM
Anas Sarwar says "the situation in Downing Street is not good enough". But - as Sarwar gives his news conference - a series of Starmer's colleagues come out to back him.
15:38
15:44
BBC
Scottish Labour leader calls for Starmer to quit as cabinet ministers back PM
Anas Sarwar says "the situation in Downing Street is not good enough". But - as Sarwar gives his news conference - a series of Starmer's colleagues come out to back him.
15:44
15:44
15:46⇢The Scottish Leader Abandons Starmer
⌨The UK media has shifted focus to a critical internal revolt within the Labour Party, as Scottish leader Anas Sarwar's demand for Keir Starmer's resignation triggers a public cabinet counter-offensive (The Guardian, BBC News, Daily Mail, The Independent, The Mirror, Evening Standard, HuffPost UK, The Telegraph, The Spectator). While ministers rally to defend the Prime Minister, editorial attention highlights the precariousness of his leadership following further staff departures and the persistent Jeffrey Epstein scandal (Breitbart London, Sky News).
15:51
BBC
Cabinet ministers back Starmer as Scottish Labour leader calls for PM to quit
Anas Sarwar says "the situation in Downing Street is not good enough". But - as Sarwar gives his news conference - Starmer's cabinet colleagues come out to back him.
15:51
15:51
15:58
15:58
16:04
16:11
New Statesman
But more than half the cabinet have come out in support of the prime minister
16:11
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
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16:44
Son says Hong Kong media figure, 78, fears dying alone while legal team say Lai is now world’s highest profile political prisoner
16:44
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
16:44
16:44
New Statesman
Which MPs say Keir Starmer should stay, and which say he should go?
16:44
16:51
Novara Media
Those shocked at the celebrated leftist’s close friendship with Epstein should recall his university department’s close ties to the Pentagon. Chomsky has always been working simultaneously for and against the establishment, writes Chris Knight.
16:51
17:05
US | Barney Davis
17:05
17:05
The liberal fawning over the Puerto Rican rapper’s Super Bowl performance has plumbed new depths of cringe.
17:05
17:11
Breitbart UK
Members of British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet have circled the wagons around their embattled boss, as he faces calls to resign.
17:11
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17:11
17:13⇢The Cabinet Circles the Wagons
⌨UK media reporting has reached a point of high cohesion regarding the domestic political crisis. Editors across the spectrum are highlighting a coordinated Cabinet defense of Keir Starmer following the Scottish Labour leader's public call for his resignation (BBC News, The Independent, The Mirror, Evening Standard, The Telegraph, Breitbart London). Simultaneously, legal and royal scrutiny intensifies as police assess new allegations regarding Prince Andrew's ties to Jeffrey Epstein (Sky News, The Times, Metro).
17:31
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17:44
The government is in full-on leadership crisis – with pressure building on Keir Starmer to resign. The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was the first major figure to go over the top – saying there have been too many mistakes and Starmer should go. A lot of the cabinet are out declaring their support for the PM but it is clear things are moving fast. Starmer’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney quit on Sunday over his advice to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Today the No 10 director of communications, Tim Allan, also quit. So what next – and if Starmer is going what and who should follow?
17:44
17:44
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
17:51
17:57
BBC
Starmer to address meeting of Labour MPs after cabinet ministers back PM to stay in office
Support from Starmer's team came as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on the PM to resign, saying "the distraction needs to end".
17:57
17:57
18:04
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
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Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
18:11
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18:17
BBC
Starmer faces meeting of Labour MPs after cabinet ministers back PM to stay in office
Support from Starmer's team came as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on the PM to resign, saying "the distraction needs to end".
18:17
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18:18
UK | Luke Alsford
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18:24
18:26⇢Starmer's Shaking Throne
⌨The British media is fixated on the survival of Keir Starmer's premiership as the Scottish Labour leader joins calls for his resignation (BBC News, The Independent, The Mirror, Evening Standard, HuffPost UK, The Telegraph, Channel 4 News, Morning Star Online, Breitbart London). While Cabinet ministers publicly rally to support the Prime Minister (BBC News, The Mirror, The Telegraph), the monarchy has simultaneously entered the fray, with King Charles offering support for police investigations into Prince Andrew (Daily Mail, Sky News, Metro).
18:30
Sky News
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
18:30
18:38
18:38
19:23
19:25
BBC
Labour MPs applaud Starmer at meeting as PM fights for political survival after Mandelson scandal
It comes after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on the PM to resign, saying "the distraction needs to end".
19:25
19:25
Exclusive: In a forthcoming Channel 4 documentary, the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, says he’s “not aware” of any evidence behind the government’s claims that Palestine Action is linked to Hamas and Iran. Rivkah Brown and Simon Childs report.
19:25
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20:02
Politics | Craig Munro
20:02
20:09
20:16
The Economist
Hacks against Polish energy plants suggest the FSB is involved
20:16
20:23
BBC
'I'm not prepared to walk away', Starmer tells MPs as he fights for political survival
It comes hours after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on the PM to resign, saying "the distraction needs to end".
20:23
20:23
20:23
20:30
BBC
'I'm not prepared to walk away,' Starmer tells MPs as he fights for political survival
It comes hours after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on the PM to resign, saying "the distraction needs to end".
20:30
20:30
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has survived a feverish day in which Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar became the first major figure to say he should quit.
20:30
20:31
Breaking | Live | Breaking | Live
20:31
20:32⇢Starmer Rebuffs the Resignation Calls
⌨British editors are focusing on Keir Starmer's refusal to resign despite the Scottish Labour leader's call for him to quit. The media highlights Starmer's defiant message to MPs that he has won every previous fight (BBC News, Sky News, Metro, The Independent, Evening Standard, The Times, Channel 4 News, New Statesman, HuffPost UK, The Telegraph, The Spectator, Breitbart London, Morning Star Online). Simultaneously, the Palace has shifted its stance, expressing profound concern regarding Prince Andrew (Daily Mail, The Mirror).
20:44
20:52
The Telegraph
20:52
20:58
21:05
Making his first intervention in the Epstein scandal, the King said he is ready to support the police in their inquiries.
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The Telegraph
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