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Jess Phillips Calls in Sick, Resigns, Declines Sturgeon Drink

8/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Minister Jess Phillips called in sick to dodge questions about Peter Mandelson, saying she could not claim he was good at his job.
Phillips resigned in 2026, ruled herself out of Andy Burnham’s government and said she may quit if a 2024-style election occurs.
She declined to drink with Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Edinburgh Fringe, where Sturgeon’s estranged husband Peter Murrell was jailed in June 2026 for embezzling £400,000.

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Story summary

Minister Jess Phillips called in sick to dodge questions about Peter Mandelson, saying she could not claim he was good at his job.
Phillips resigned in 2026, ruled herself out of Andy Burnham’s government and said she may quit if a 2024-style election occurs.
She declined to drink with Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Edinburgh Fringe, where Sturgeon’s estranged husband Peter Murrell was jailed in June 2026 for embezzling £400,000.