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Who is Shabana Mehmood? The name leading in the race to become Britain’s first Muslim PM; Has old connection with Kashmir

Samira Vishwas | February 10, 2026 2:24 AM CST

Who is Shabana Mahmood: The new Epstein scandal has not shaken the US government, but it has fueled demands for the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Labor MP and current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is emerging as a possible successor. The recently released Jeffrey Epstein files have revealed links between the convicted sex offender and Peter Mandelson, whom Starmer chose to be Britain’s ambassador to Washington, throwing the British government into crisis.

Epstein scandal reaches Britain

Emails and documents show that Mandelson remained in contact with Epstein after his conviction in 2008, even calling him his ‘best friend’ and suggesting that his prison sentence was unfair. According to the report, Mandelson recommended private villas to Epstein’s ‘guests’ and may have leaked sensitive British government information, such as euro bailout plans, while taking payments linked to Epstein.

New US Justice Department files from 2026 revealed deeper ties, including Mandelson’s lobbying of US banks for Epstein, which Downing Street kept hidden for several days before firing him in 2025.

In February 2026, police raided properties linked to Mandelson to investigate misconduct. Amid this turmoil, Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned, and calls for Starmer’s resignation grew.

Who is Shabana Mehmood?

Shabana Mahmood is the current Home Secretary of Britain and a prominent politician of Pakistani origin for the Labor Party, who has projected her as a candidate for the post of Prime Minister amid the recent political turmoil. He was born in Birmingham to Zubaida and Mahmood Ahmed, whose family has roots in Pakistan and the Mirpur area of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

Recent reports have described her as a possible successor to Keir Starmer, which would make her the first Muslim Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Known as ‘Dark Horse’

Mahmood has emerged as a surprise candidate, being called a “dark horse”. She takes a strict stance on immigration. For example, she wants to make migrants wait twice as long to get permanent residence in Britain, from five years to 10 years.

Shabana became one of the first Muslim women to be elected as an MP in 2010, along with Rushnana Ali and Yasmin Qureshi. She served as Justice Secretary before being appointed as Home Secretary in the 2025 cabinet reshuffle, making her the first Muslim woman in the role.

Mahmood’s rapid rise is due to his tough, fundamentalist reputation. Party leaders see these qualities as crucial to winning back voters lured away by Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK.

Demand for Starmer’s resignation is increasing

While calls for Starmer’s resignation are growing, for Shabana Mahmood to become Prime Minister, Keir Starmer will first have to resign or face a leadership challenge. This challenge would require the support of at least 81 Labor MPs, which is 20% of the party’s seats in Parliament.

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