Sir Keir Starmer is set to face a parliamentary vote on Tuesday that could trigger an investigation into whether he misled MPs over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. If the motion passes, the Prime Minister will face scrutiny from the Privileges Committee over his statements in the House of Commons.
Badenoch leads charge
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Starmer of misleading Parliament by claiming 'due process' was followed in Mandelson's appointment. She also seized on the PM's assertion that 'no pressure whatsoever' was applied to Foreign Office civil servants to expedite the vetting process.
Starmer has defended his actions, insisting due process was observed when he announced the appointment before vetting was completed. He cited support from former top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald and argued that No 10 merely sought progress updates, while the Foreign Office's recommendation remained independent.
Difficult week ahead
The vote adds to what was already shaping up to be a challenging Tuesday for the Prime Minister. The Foreign Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear from Sir Phillip Barton, the former top Foreign Office official during Mandelson's selection, and from Starmer's ex-chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, but if passed, it would mark another significant headache for Starmer as he navigates ongoing political turbulence.
