A resurfaced clip of former Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has begun circulating on social media after the politician announced her resignation from government. After a crucial cabinet meeting at No10, the MP for Birmingham Yardley informed Prime Minister Keir Starmer that she would be stepping down and could no longer support his leadership. This comes after Ms Phillips previously refused to defend Starmer during an appearance on Good Morning Britain in March.

The MP joined presenters Kate Garraway and Paul Brand on the ITV panel when she was asked about Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US. Paul stated: "These files did show that he [Starmer] was advised of a particularly close relationship between Peter Mandelson and Jefferey Epstein. They spelt it out for him." He then asked: "If you'd have received that advice, would you have appointed Peter Mandelson?"

Ms Phillips stumbled over her words as she responded: "Well, look, nobody asked me whether we should appoint Peter Mandelson."

However, Paul interrupted: "Would you have appointed him under those circumstances as someone who cares about the safety of women and girls?"

To which the MP stuttered: "I'm not here to defend what the Prime minister has already said was a mistake, but what I would say is that the paragraph that we can see ... obviously those questions were asked and we haven't seen because of the police investigation, which is really unfortunate.

"The Prime Minister has said it was a mistake, a terrible mistake." Talking to Paul, the politician added: "You're right, I've spent my life trying to do this," before agreeing, "Oh yeah," when asked if she felt "gutted" about it.

Although Starmer refused to step down or set a timeline for his resignation, even though 81 MPs have called for his exit, Ms Phillips issued a statement confirming her departure.

In an open letter, she penned: "I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things; however, I have seen first-hand how that is not enough.

"The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed.

"Labour governments come around rarely is the constant refrain at the moment. It's true they are precious.

"Every Labour government in my and my family's lifetime has forged progress that changed our country and the world for the better. I know you care deeply, but deeds, not words, are what matter."

The MP continued: "I'm not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that's needed and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress.

"Decency is vital, calm curiosity is also needed, but so too are fight and drive required. Have a row, push back, make arguments, bring people along. Standing up and being counted can't always be workshopped. Politics is as much about feelings as policy, especially at the moment.

"I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I'm not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership."