jack fenwick
political correspondent

The underlying anger of Labor MPs towards Sir Keir Starmer remains evident.

While the few backbenchers who have spoken publicly have frequently criticized the Prime Minister, many more have privately voiced their concerns.

“He’s toast,” one Labor MP told the BBC. “There is inevitability, but there is no immediacy,” said another.

“He’s like a wounded wildebeest. Mortally wounded but well aware that the end is near and determined to show how strong he is,” said a third man.

Others were more supportive, with one writing: “I still think most of the Labor MPs’ anger is directed at Mandelson himself, not Keir.”

Pendle and Clitheroe MP Jonathan Hinder said the Prime Minister’s decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador was a “fatal error of political and moral judgement”.

Luke Sullivan, Starmer’s former political director, said he believed the prime minister was “fighting for the premiership”.

he told a BBC newscast“I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to underestimate how serious the situation and danger the prime minister is in.”

Former Labor deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman said the Prime Minister’s defense that Mr Mandelson had lied made him look “weak, naive and gullible”.

“I think it’s inevitable that he will be ousted, but he will be ousted unless he does the really necessary actions,” he told Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast.