Starmer-Mandelson latest: PM could face Privileges Committee after claims he misled MPs – UK Times

The prime minister could face a parliamentary inquiry over the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal, it has been reported.

The Independent understands Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is urging the Speaker of the Commons to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the privileges committee over concerns he misled MPs over the vetting process.

Any move would be subject to a vote by all MPs.

The controversy over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador continues unabated as the prime minister faces attacks from all sides of the political spectrum.

Evidence given by top Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins on Tuesday contradicted several of the claims made by Downing Street over the vetting process for the appointment, prompting fresh allegations that Sir Keir misled parliament over the issue.

The fallout comes after it was revealed last week that Peter Mandelson failed crucial security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador, but was given the role anyway after Foreign Office intervention.

But why did he fail his vetting? You can read the explainer below:

At PMQs, Keir Starmer looked more assured than he has for some time – but there is something almost delusional in his upbeat demeanour, says John Rentoul.

His appearance follows that of former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins, who was sacked by the prime minister last week after claiming that he had not told the PM about the details of the vetting decision.

But who is the prime minister’s former chief of staff? You can read more below:

More damaging still are the WhatsApp messages sent by this publication to the then director of communications in Downing Street, Tim Allan, raising the issue on 11 September.

This has been described by a number of civil servants and senior politicians as the “smoking gun” in the entire scandal, because it is at odds with the prime minister’s own assessment.

Sir Keir claimed that he, his ministers and Downing Street only found out about the security vetting failure last week. But doubt has been cast on this claim because The Independent informed Downing Street’s most senior communications official months before.

You can read all about The Independent’s reporting and why it is proving a headache to the prime minister below:

Labour MP Dan Carden has appeared on Newsnight tonight to speak about the day’s events regarding the Mandelson scandal.

He refused to be drawn on whether he had confidence in the prime minister, but said he would lead Labour into the local elections.

But he added there is “definitely a question about the future of the Labour party”.

It comes on a night another Labour MP voiced their concerns over Sir Keir’s leadership. Earlier today Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash told GB News he does not believe “anyone reasonably expects the prime minister to lead the party into the next election”.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir was asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch whether he stood by his previous statements to the Commons that due process had been followed in the appointment.

The Prime Minister replied that he did, adding: “Yesterday, Sir Olly Robbins was asked if he shared that decision with me, No 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer: no. That puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.”

Olly Robbins is justifiably aggrieved at being removed for doing what the prime minister put pressure on him to do – but in the end, this may well harm the sacker more than the sackee.

Read The Independent’s editorial below:

Athena Stavrou joins campaigners in Zack Polanski’s home borough of Hackney, where the Greens are confident they can make a dent in Labour’s domination of the capital.

Calls for Sir Keir Starmer to resign are not widespread in the Labour party at the moment – but it is a “fair bet” several are thinking about it, a former No 10 communications boss has said.

It comes after Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash called for the prime minister to resign earlier.

Speaking on Sky News, James Lyons, a former Downing Street communications director for Sir Keir Starmer said: “I don’t think he would necessarily represent the mainstream of the Parliamentary Labour Party, if I may put it like that.”

But he added: “It’s usually a fair bet that if one of them is saying it, a few of them are thinking it.”