UK to get 1st Muslim PM? Shabana Mahmood in focus amid Starmer's Epstein scandal

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to resign following controversy over his decision to appoint, and later remove, former British envoy to the US Peter Mandelson, who was a close associate of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

As Starmer struggles to steady his leadership, the crisis has deepened with the resignation of his chief of staff and closest aide, Morgan McSweeney, who stepped down over his role in Mandelson’s appointment. The turmoil was compounded soon after by the exit of the Prime Minister’s communications chief, Tim Allan.

With dissent showing no signs of abating, speculation has begun over who could emerge as a potential successor should Starmer’s position weaken further. Among the names gaining traction is that of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

If elevated to the top post, Mahmood would make history as the UK’s first Prime Minister of Pakistani origin and its first Muslim woman to hold the office.

WHO IS SHABANA MAHMOOD?

Mahmood, the MP for Birmingham Ladywood since 2010, is widely regarded as one of Labour’s most capable and politically astute figures.

A trained barrister, she entered Parliament that year as one of Labour’s first Muslim women MPs and quickly rose through the party ranks, securing a place in the shadow cabinet early in her parliamentary career.

Over the years, she has held several senior frontbench roles, including shadow justice secretary and shadow education secretary, earning a reputation as a steady, disciplined voice within the party.

Appointed Home Secretary in 2025 following Labour’s return to power the previous year, Mahmood has taken charge of one of the most demanding briefs in government, overseeing policing, national security, immigration and public order.

Born in Birmingham to Pakistani immigrant parents, Mahmood has often spoken about her British Muslim identity, her working-class upbringing and the central role education played in shaping her political journey.

In recent years, however, she has adopted a noticeably tougher stance on immigration. Just last week, she defended the Labour government’s proposals as “fair” amid opposition to changes in permanent settlement rights.

Appearing before the Home Affairs Committee, Mahmood said settlement in the UK was a “privilege, not a right”, adding that it would be “odd” for Britain not to seek to attract the “brightest and best” people to work in the country.

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