After hours of silence, ministers rallied behind the PM, giving him breathing space amid the Mandelson scandal. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged him to quit, saying there had been too many mistakes.

The PM’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has resigned, taking responsibility for recommending Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington despite concerns over Mandelson’s past links to Jeffrey Epstein. The departure intensifies scrutiny of the PM’s judgement and leadership.

Police searched Peter Mandelson’s London and Wiltshire homes in an inquiry into alleged misconduct in public office, seizing boxes of material for review. The searches, linked to continuing fallout from the Epstein case, resulted in no arrests.

Former deputy PM Angela Rayner has told allies she’s ready to launch a leadership bid as Labour unrest grows. After a Commons revolt over Peter Mandelson’s US ambassador appointment and disclosures about his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the PM apologised but refused to resign.