British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has no plans to resign over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to Washington, despite Mandelson failing security checks. Starmer says he was unaware that the Foreign Office overruled security officials' recommendations in early 2025. He called that "staggering" and "unforgivable." The top Foreign Office civil servant, Olly Robbins, took the fall for the decision and resigned late Thursday. Mandelson was considered risky due to his past friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer fired Mandelson in September 2025 after evidence showed he lied about his links to Epstein. Opposition leaders demand Starmer's resignation. He said he will statement to Parliament on the issue on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called Russia and Iran "brothers in hatred." It came as he visited London to seek support from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his country's fight against Russia's invasion. The talks between the two leaders on Tuesday came as the Iran war revives Russia's ailing economy through increased oil revenue, robs U.S.-brokered talks on ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine of momentum, and could soon limit Kyiv's access to vital Western air defense systems that are needed in the Middle East. Starmer said "We can't lose focus on what's going on in Ukraine and the need for our support." NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also attended the talks.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised his country's ties with Britain on the first day of a state visit. The trip that began on Tuesday mixes royal pageantry with thorny political talks about stopping migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats. Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also try to advance plans for a post-ceasefire security force for Ukraine. Macron addressed Britain's Parliament and said that even though Britain has left the EU, it "cannot stay on the sidelines." Macron's three-day stay is at the invitation of King Charles III. It is a symbol of the U.K. government's desire to reset relations with the bloc after Brexit.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have signed a 100-year partnership agreement. It's part of a European show of support to continue helping Ukraine prevail in its nearly three-year war with Russia. The announcement on Thursday came days before Donald Trump is sworn in as U.S. president with what he says is a plan to end Europe's biggest war since World War II. Starmer said that the landmark century-long agreement commits the two sides to cooperate on defense and on technology projects including drones.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says a "standing army" of specialist police will be set up to deal with rioting and the justice system will be ramped up to deal with hundreds of arrests after violent disorder rocked cities across the nation over the past week. Starmer has held an urgent meeting with ministers and top law enforcement officials as he seeks to end violence and attacks on immigrants, mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. Starmer has called such attacks far-right thuggery. Misinformation spread online has whipped up anger over a stabbing rampage at a dance class that left three girls dead and many more wounded.

Britain's new prime minister, Keir Starmer, says he will lead a "government of service" on a mission of national renewal. The comment came in Starmer's first official remarks after his Labour Party swept to power in a landslide victory after more than a decade in opposition. Starmer led his party back to government less than five years after it suffered its worst defeat in almost a century. But Labour also faces a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. Conservative leader Rishi Sunak in a farewell address said he understood voters' anger and took responsibility for the loss. He then went to Buckingham Palace and offered his resignation to King Charles III.