Starmer-Mandelson latest: Labour MPs turn on PM over vetting scandal – but Reeves rules out leadership contest

Downing Street has been forced to defend claims of a “toxic” culture at No 10 following Sir Olly Robbins’ evidence on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Foreign Affairs Committee, the former head of the Foreign Office said his team rejected the UK Security Review’s (UKSV) recommendation that Lord Mandelson not be given permission because No. He said 10 had made it clear that he wanted Lord Mandelson to Washington “as soon as humanly possible”.

Sir Keir Starmer told his Cabinet that Sir Olly Robbins had made an “error of judgement” in not informing him of Lord Mandelson’s review failures, while Downing Street rejected claims of a dismissive approach to the process.

The Prime Minister is also facing pressure over revelations that he was trying to find an ambassadorial job for Downing Street’s former head of communications, Lord Matthew Doyle.

Lord Doyle was removed from the Labor whip this year after his links to a convicted pedophile were revealed.

Pressure is mounting on the prime minister as members of his own party turn on him over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.

Downing Street tried to find an ambassadorial job for Lord Matthew Doyle without telling David Lammy, then the foreign secretary, former mandarin Sir Olly Robbins revealed in his evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

Lord Doyle was the prime minister’s communications chief before being promoted to the House of Lords in December last year.

He was later stripped of the Labor whip because of his association with a convicted pedophile.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the claim that Mr Lammy had not been briefed on the plans was “extremely concerning”.

Energy minister Ed Miliband said at the time he had concerns Lord Mandelson’s appointment would “explode”.

Labour’s Imran Hussain called for an independent investigation into the “entire situation” surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment and the “consequences” for the prime minister.

Speaking in the House of Commons during an emergency debate on Tuesday, Mr Hussain said: “Of course, there needs to be a full, transparent and independent investigation into this whole situation, which reveals the truth and leads to consequences, including for the prime minister.”

But Chancellor Rachel Reeves insisted on Tuesday evening that there was “no leadership contest”.

Labour’s Baroness Margaret Hodge also backed the prime minister’s retention, telling Newsnight: “He will continue to be Prime Minister. He still has authority. He shows that in every possible way. He shows that brilliantly on the international stage. He shows that with his determination to tackle the cost of living.”

Even more damaging are the WhatsApp messages this publication sent to Tim Allan, the then Downing Street director of communications, who raised the issue on September 11.

This has been described by some public servants and senior politicians as a “smoking gun” in the whole scandal, as it contradicts the prime minister’s own assessment.

Sir Keir claimed he, his ministers and Downing Street only learned of the failure in the security investigation last week. However, this claim has been cast into doubt because Independent He had briefed Downing Street’s top communications official months ago.

You can read more about why Independent‘s report gives the prime minister a headache:

Starmer was indecisive and pedantic, even as a lawyer, says Chris Blackhurst – and it is clear that he sees in the disgraced ambassador a natural politician whom he is eager to impress.

Sacked Foreign Office chief gave evidence to MPs about Mandelson scandal and exposed the rotten core of Keir Starmer’s government, political editor says David Maddox.

The government has said its investigation into the leak of information about Lord Peter Mandelson’s security clearance is ongoing.

Responding to an urgent debate on Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US, the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, Darren Jones, told the House of Commons: “I am sure that the House of Representatives will be as concerned as I am about this information being made available to the TC while officials feel they cannot provide this information to ministers.”he is protective newspaper.

“As a result of this, I can confirm that a leak investigation is currently ongoing.”

You can read the full report below:

The US president said he agreed with Sir Keir that he “made the wrong decision” when he chose his Labor counterpart as Britain’s ambassador to Washington.

Mr Trump appeared to give Sir Keir some support after he confronted MPs on Monday to apologize for the appointment, joking there was “plenty of time to heal”.

“UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has admitted he made the ‘wrong decision’ when choosing his Ambassador to Washington,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I admit, it was a really bad choice. But he’s got plenty of time to heal! President DJT.”

Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) said it had still not received all the files relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment and review.

The committee will review all documents that the government believes may pose a security risk and make any corrections it deems necessary.

ISC chairman Lord Beamish said they were told they would receive all the documents by April 10, but this did not happen.

According to Sky News, Lord Beamish said: “We still have not received all the remaining material. All the documents the Government submitted to the committee within the agreed timetable were treated by the committee as a priority matter.”

He continued: “None of these documents are relevant to the review process” and said the ISC was given only the first two documents relevant to the review at 8.30am on Monday.

“The committee is aware that it still needs to be provided with further documents relating to the investigation,” Lord Beamish said, adding that it was “disappointing” that they had not yet received them.