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09.02.2026

The Day Anas Sarwar Called for Starmer’s Resignation

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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.

09.02.2026The 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.
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
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

02:11The 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
03:05
04:33
06:13
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
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

07:39Starmer 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).
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
10:43
10:43

10:44Royal 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
11:12
11:19
11:19
11:48
11:55

12:18Starmer'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
12:23
12:52
13:00
13:21
13:21

13:22Prince 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).
13:35
13:42
14:03
14:43

14:45The 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
15:22
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

15:46The 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
16:11
16:44
16:44
16:51
17:05
17:11

17:13The 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).
17:44
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
17:57
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
18:04
18:11
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

18:26Starmer'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).
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
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
20:30
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

20:32Starmer 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).
20:52
21:05
21:35
22:18