Epstein Files Fallout: 3 Out, Starmer Next? Will Pak-Origin Shabana Mahmood Be Next UK PM?

Last Updated:February 10, 2026, 14:15 IST

Is UK PM Keir Starmer on his way out? Is Shabana Mahmood a contender for the post? A look at the political fallout of the Epstein Files in the UK and the rest of the world

Amid the shake-up following the release of recent Jeffrey Epstein files, Chris Wormald, the most senior civil servant in Downing Street, is negotiating his exit. Wormald, the cabinet secretary, is understood to be negotiating the terms of his departure from No 10, which would make him the third senior member of staff to leave in recent days.

Wormald was appointed just over a year ago.

POLITICAL FALLOUT OF EPSTEIN FILES IN UK

Peter Mandelson: Veteran British politician and former EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson has been at the centre of the Epstein Files storm in the UK. Documents apparently show he shared confidential government information with Epstein and received payments tied to Epstein’s support. He has resigned from the House of Lords and the Labour Party. Criminal investigation has been launched into potential misconduct in public office. The UK government moving to draft legislation to remove his peerage.

Morgan McSweeney: The UK Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff stepped down from his role advising Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He took responsibility for recommending Mandelson’s controversial appointment as UK ambassador to the United States — a decision now seen as politically damaging amid the Epstein revelations.

Tim Allan: Following McSweeney’s resignation, Sir Keir Starmer’s Director of Communications, Tim Allan, also resigned amid the expanding political row. This marks another senior Downing Street exit linked to the escalating controversy around appointments and trust.

Keir Starmer: The British Prime Minister is facing a leadership crisis and calls for resignation over his judgment in appointing Mandelson to a high-level role despite his known links to Epstein.

Prince Andrew: Although he had already lost his military honors and royal titles, the new documents provided further details of his ties, deepening the scandal surrounding him.

WILL UK GET A NEW PM? WILL IT BE SHABANA MAHMOOD?

Shabana Mahmood has emerged as a prominent contender to succeed Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister, though she is not currently the clear frontrunner. Her name is being heavily discussed following a major political crisis involving the “Epstein files" and Starmer’s controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson.

Shabana Mahmood is a British politician and barrister currently serving as the UK Home Secretary. A member of the Labour Party, she has represented the constituency of Birmingham Ladywood in Parliament since 2010.

She oversees policing, national security, and immigration. In this role, she has introduced strict immigration reforms, including a proposal to extend the time required for permanent residency from five to ten years.

She was one of the UK’s first three female Muslim MPs elected in 2010. In 2024, she became the first Muslim and third woman to serve as Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary.

She identifies as a social conservative and is part of the Blue Labour faction, known for its focus on traditional values and community. She has championed the largest-ever rollout of live facial recognition technology in British policing and has taken a “no-nonsense" stance on border security.

Born in Birmingham in 1980 to Pakistani parents, she spent five years of her childhood in Saudi Arabia. She is an Oxford-educated lawyer and was a practicing barrister before entering politics.

Her competitors are Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, Ed Miliband, Andy Burnham.

EPSTEIN FILES IMPACT IN REST OF EUROPE

Norway: Public confidence in the monarchy has been shaken due to friendly email exchanges between Epstein and Crown Princess Mette-Marit regarding social and personal appointments.

Slovakia: Miroslav Lajčák, the former Foreign Minister, resigned from his position as national security adviser after documents showed he discussed “gorgeous" girls and political meetings with Epstein.

Sweden: Reports indicate senior figures have also been impacted by the disclosures, though specific names are still emerging in the broader political fallout.

France: Jack Lang, veteran politician, resigned as head of the Arab World Institute amid investigations over financial links involving Epstein funds.

UNITED STATES

While the U.S. has not seen the same immediate wave of high-level resignations as Europe, several figures are under intense scrutiny:

Donald Trump: Documents released following a rare bipartisan push contain thousands of mentions of Trump, including unverified allegations and details of past interactions.

Howard Lutnick: The current Commerce Secretary has faced calls for resignation from some GOP lawmakers due to his historical links to Epstein.

Larry Summers: Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers announced he would step back from public commitments after expressing regret over his continued communication with Epstein.

Bill & Hillary Clinton: Both are scheduled to testify before a House inquiry later in February 2026 as Republicans seek further clarity on their associations.

With Agency Inputs

News explainers Epstein Files Fallout: 3 Out, Starmer Next? Will Pak-Origin Shabana Mahmood Be Next UK PM?

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