Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch has slammed Keir Starmer’s Government as a “rudderless” regime in the grip of a “lethal chaos”.

Speaking after the shock resignation of Downing Street Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, who stepped down this weekend after taking “full responsibility” for the disastrous appointment of Lord Mandelson as US Ambassador, Ms Badenoch told GB News that the Prime Minister’s position is now “untenable”.

However, when grilled on who should replace the current Prime Minister, the Conservative leader refused to answer the question.

Ms Badenoch told GB News: “This is a full-blown crisis in Downing Street. The Prime Minister’s position is in peril. Given what Morgan McSweeney said yesterday, the situation is untenable.

“The adviser has gone, but the person who made the decision is still in post. That says a lot about the Prime Minister’s judgment.

“He cannot build a team. He is in office, but not in power. He’s weak, he can’t get his legislation through, and we are not being governed and that is a serious problem.”

Miriam Cates asked: “If you don’t think that Wes Streeting is the answer, or Angela Rayner, there must be someone who you do think could lead the Labour Party in the national interest. Who is that person?”

Mrs Badenoch hit back: “It’s not my job to do their HR for them. I am the leader of the opposition in my job.”

Miriam said: “If you are calling for his resignation, surely you have someone in mind?”

She said: “No, no. My job is to show people why the conservatives are a better alternative.”

Miriam fumed in response: “You’ve called for the resignation of Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner, Peter Mandelson and you now ask Keir Starmer to consider his position.

“Of course, it’s all very well and part of your job to criticise your opponents but if they’re going to step down and the mandate of the British people is going to be respected, the Labour government, surely you have some idea of who should replace them.”

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Mrs Badenoch said: “The person who should replace them is me and my team of Conservatives.”

Miriam explained: “Okay but there is only an election every five years that is why I am asking.”

She said: “That is like asking me to pick which particular poison we should swallow. That’s not my job.

“This is their job to pick their leader. It is not my job to pick their leader for them. If people want a party that is serious, has credible people who are not doing psychodrama, who are thinking about the economy, who’ve got a plan abolishing business rates on the high street, abolishing stamp duty, getting people back to work, get Britain working again. That’s Conservatives. It’s not my job to do their HR.

Miriam said: “But unfortunately, we have three and a half years to go before that election, and the country surely needs some sort of stability. That is the sad thing.”

Mrs Badenoch said: “Yes, it does. And I am doing everything I can to mitigate the problems they are creating.

“We’ve forced U-turn after U-turn. Look at the mess they made with the two-child benefit cap.

“We campaigned hard and targeted Labour MPs over the Winter Fuel Payment. Look at what they did on the National Grooming Gangs Inquiry.

“Who was it that kept asking Keir Starmer again and again about Peter Mandelson?

“His sacking would not have happened without me raising it in September, and the release of those files would not have happened either. Morgan McSweeney would not have gone without me pressing the issue last week.

“I am doing my job. I am the only person holding Labour to account.

“The Lib Dems are helping them, Reform are too busy attacking us, and I am the only one setting out a better offer — and pushing Labour MPs to get to a better place. And I will keep doing that.”