In a day of intense parliamentary proceedings, Keir Starmer successfully navigated a challenge seeking to refer him to a parliamentary inquiry regarding the Peter Mandelson controversy. The motion brought forth by the Tories to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee for potentially misleading MPs on Lord Mandelson’s appointment was defeated by a majority of 112, with 335 votes against and 223 in favor.
Despite facing criticism from within his own party, Starmer directed Labour MPs to oppose the motion, which was labeled by No10 as a “desperate political maneuver.” Some 15 Labour members defied the party line, including prominent figures like John McDonnell and Rebecca Long-Bailey. Additionally, 53 Labour MPs abstained from voting, citing various reasons such as absence or illness.
Amidst the debate, Cabinet Minister Darren Jones slammed Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, accusing her of engaging in “ranting incoherence” and orchestrating a politically motivated spectacle rather than focusing on crucial national matters.
The clash unfolded following revelations from Starmer’s former aide, Morgan McSweeney, who admitted to an error in advising the PM on Lord Mandelson’s appointment. McSweeney acknowledged the haste with which the appointment was pushed through, expressing regret over the oversight in the vetting process related to Mandelson’s connections.
Former Foreign Office chief Sir Phillip Barton highlighted the potential risks associated with Mandelson’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing that concerns were raised but not addressed adequately. The lack of consultation and pressure to expedite the appointment raised significant concerns within the government.
In a separate development, a leaked recording surfaced featuring Britain’s new ambassador to the US, Christian Turner, criticizing the notion of a “special relationship” between the UK and the US. Turner’s remarks added to the ongoing tensions in US-UK relations, coinciding with King Charles’ state visit to America.
The Foreign Office clarified that Turner’s comments were made informally in February and do not reflect the official stance of the UK Government.