As UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer currently navigates backlash over the Epstein files, which might just mean the end of his tenure in office, a new contender may take his place: Shabana Mahmood.
Mahmood, who has been serving as the UK's home secretary since 2025, is said to be a strong contender to lead the Labour Party if Starmer were to exit, which would make her the nation's first Pakistani-origin Muslim PM.
Born in Birmingham to Zubaida and Mahmood Ahmed, who are of Pakistani origin, the 45-year-old politician is a key ally of Starmer, who became one of the UK's first female Muslim MPs back in 2010.
Her persuasive speaking, legal background, and most importantly, her Home Office post dealing with border security, have made her a strong contender for the PM post, a Hindustan Times report said.
Yet, it must be remembered that she has neither spoken about running for PM, nor has Starmer confirmed his exit.
Many have often criticised her hardline stance on immigration as hypocritical—because of her roots, especially her recent moves to tighten the rules pertaining to permanent residency in the UK, also called indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Yet, others see her religion as a means for her and the Labour Party to reach out and bring back the pro-Palestine supporters that it had lost over the years due to its backing of Israel's military actions in Gaza, a BBC report said.
Will PM Starmer be shown the door?
Starmer's time in office—which had been weakened by record-low approval ratings, policy issues, and cost of living crises—has seen political parties on the Right slowly polarise some of its support away.
"I am sorry, sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson's lies and appointing him"
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) February 5, 2026
PM Keir Starmer issues apology to victims of Jeffrey Epstein, adding "we will pursue the truth"https://t.co/ggSOI9OvGc pic.twitter.com/ozWSI2pMk4
The catalyst for the massive backlash now? The latest tranche of three million files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which was released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on January 30.
The January 30 release of the files has renewed the spotlight on Epstein and his relation to Peter Mandelson.
Starmer's aide is currently facing a police probe over allegations of his close links to the American sex offender, which reportedly involved sharing sensitive government information with Epstein during the former's time as a Cabinet minister.
Just last week, Starmer even defended his December 2024 decision to nominate Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US, by saying that he had known about the latter's relationship with Epstein, but that the former minister had "lied repeatedly" about the extent of it.
Amid the backlash over the Epstein connection, Starmer apologised to victims of the sex offender for “believing Mandelson’s lies” and said the former minister had “betrayed our country” in his dealings with Epstein, as per an NBC News report.
This led to Starmer's Chief of Staff and longtime aide, Morgan McSweeney, to resign on Sunday, saying that the "decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong"
“I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice ... (Mandelson has) damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself," McSweeney added.
