Ex-official blames pressure from U.K. prime minister's office to pick Epstein-linked U.S. ambassador

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure after appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite his ties to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Former top Foreign Ministry official Olly Robbins, sacked over the controversy, told a parliamentary committee that he faced 'constant pressure' from Starmer's office to speed up the appointment. Robbins said there was 'constant chasing' and 'very frequent phone calls' from Downing Street. Starmer's spokesperson rejected Robbins's allegations, saying there was a difference between 'pressure' and being 'kept informed' about the process. The controversy has prompted calls for Starmer to step down, with some Labour lawmakers criticizing his Downing Street operation as having a 'bunker mentality'. The party is expected to suffer losses in upcoming local elections.