Senior Labour figures have dismissed calls for a new investigation into what Keir Starmer told MPs about the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, branding the move a 'political stunt' ahead of a possible Commons vote on Monday.
Background of the Controversy
The Conservatives have called for the cross-party privileges committee—which examines whether MPs broke rules—to look into whether the prime minister misled parliament when he said normal procedures were followed in Mandelson's appointment. This committee previously examined Boris Johnson's behaviour over lockdown-breaking Downing Street parties, finding he deliberately misled parliament.
The foreign affairs committee has already begun an inquiry into Mandelson's appointment. Downing Street says evidence heard so far, including from senior civil servants, shows Starmer told the truth.
Labour Figures Respond
Former cabinet ministers Alan Johnson and David Blunkett released a joint statement calling the Conservative move a 'nakedly political stunt with no substance' and comparing it to the Johnson case as 'absurd'. They noted that in Johnson's case, a police investigation had disproved his statements, whereas no such evidence exists here.
Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and chair of the foreign affairs committee, said she saw no need for a second inquiry while her committee's investigation is ongoing. She suggested it could be 'people trying to score points in advance of the local elections'.
Committee Hearings
The foreign affairs committee heard last week from Olly Robbins, the former head civil servant at the Foreign Office who was removed for failing to inform No 10 that Mandelson initially failed security vetting, and Cat Little, the lead Cabinet Office official. On Tuesday, it will take evidence from Philip Barton, Robbins' predecessor, and Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's former chief of staff and a close associate of Mandelson.
Possible Commons Vote
The Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, will decide whether to allow a vote on referring the matter to the privileges committee. If a vote occurs, Labour may whip its MPs to oppose it. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds called the proposed vote 'silly political games' by the Conservatives, noting that evidence last week proved Starmer did not mislead parliament.
