Sir Keir Starmer has successfully blocked a parliamentary inquiry into whether he misled MPs over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, despite significant pressure from opposition parties and some Labour MPs. The Prime Minister secured a vote to oppose the Tory motion for a so-called "sleaze inquiry" by the Privileges Committee, with the government winning 335 votes to 223, a majority of 112.
Labour Backbenchers Reluctantly Back Starmer
The decision to support the Prime Minister was a reluctant one for some Labour MPs. Rebecca Long-Bailey, who previously contested the Labour leadership against Starmer, admitted she would "struggle" to vote with the government. Labour MPs were whipped to oppose the motion as Downing Street hoped to draw a line under the Mandelson controversy. Starmer insisted he was correct to say that "due process" was followed before the appointment.
Tory Motion and Allegations
The motion was brought forward by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, following parliamentary sessions that questioned whether Starmer adhered to security vetting procedures. Badenoch told MPs the committee should consider if Starmer "told the truth" about the appointment process. She stated: "The Prime Minister appointed Peter Mandelson before security vetting was completed, contrary to advice given on 11 November 2024 by the Cabinet Secretary. That is not due process. His own national security adviser described the process as 'weirdly rushed', and the Foreign Office was not properly consulted."
Badenoch urged Labour MPs to back the motion despite Downing Street's opposition, with former Tory minister David Davis claiming they were "believing their own propaganda." She added: "The public will remember whether MPs stood for accountability or participated in a cover-up."
Starmer's Defense
Starmer argued that an investigation would distract the government amid the economic impact of the Iran war. He claimed that former Cabinet Secretary Simon Robbins' assertion that "pressure" was applied on officials was not unusual, and he did not ask officials to disregard security recommendations. Cabinet Office official Cat Little stated that due process around vetting for Mandelson was followed, while former Foreign Office civil servant Philip Barton declined to answer when asked.
Cross-Party Support for Inquiry
Several Labour MPs, including left-wing figures Apsana Begum, Nadia Whittome, and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, joined the Tories in calling for an inquiry. Ribeiro-Addy suggested Starmer should refer himself to the committee. MPs from the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Reform UK, SNP, and DUP also backed the Tory motion, demanding full transparency.
