Starmer-Mandelson latest: PM could face Privileges Committee after claims he misled MPs

Discontent is reportedly growing within the Prime Minister’s cabinet over his handling of the Mandelson review scandal.

Several ministers are said to have shared concerns with Sir Keir over the sacking of former mandarin Sir Olly Robbins at a meeting on Tuesday, first reported by The Guardian.

Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood and Justice Minister David Lammy are thought to be among those voicing their displeasure.

There are also reports that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband have distanced themselves from the prime minister amid accusations that No 10 was seeking an ambassadorial job for Lord Matthew Doyle after he left his role as head of communications at Downing Street.

Lord Doyle withdrew the Labor whip earlier this year over his link to a convicted pedophile.

Sir Keir looks set to face further pressure on Thursday when cabinet secretary Cat Little appears before the Foreign Affairs Committee.

It has been reported that the Prime Minister may face a parliamentary inquiry over the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal.

Independent It understands Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called on the Speaker of the House of Commons to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the privileges committee over concerns he misled MPs about the vetting process.

Any move would be subject to a vote by all MPs.

Controversy over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador continues unabated as the prime minister faces attacks from across the political spectrum.

Statements from senior Foreign Office official Olly Robbins on Tuesday contradicted many of Downing Street’s claims about the review process for the appointment, prompting fresh claims that Sir Keir misled parliament on the issue.

The impact comes after it was revealed last week that Peter Mandelson had failed the critical security review for his appointment as US ambassador, but was nevertheless given the role after intervention by the State Department.

So why did it fail scrutiny? You can read the explainer below:

At the PMQs, Keir Starmer looked more confident than he has in a while – but there’s something almost delusional about his optimistic demeanor, says John Rentoul.

His appearance follows former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins, who was sacked by the prime minister last week for allegedly failing to tell the Prime Minister details of the review decision.

So who is the prime minister’s former private secretary? You can read more below:

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.

Read all of The Independent’s stories and why they’re giving the prime minister a headache below:

Labor MP Dan Carden appeared on Newsnight tonight to talk about the day’s events surrounding the Mandelson scandal.

He refused to be asked whether he trusted the Prime Minister but said he would lead the Labor Party in the local elections.

But he added that there was “certainly a question about the future of the Labor Party”.

It emerged overnight that another Labor MP had expressed concerns about Sir Keir’s leadership. Earlier today, Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash told GB News he did not believe “anyone reasonably expects the prime minister to lead the party at the next election”.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asked Sir Keir if he stood by his previous comments to the House of Commons that due process was followed in the appointment.

The Prime Minister responded, adding: “Sir Olly Robbins was asked yesterday if he had shared this decision with me, No 10 or any other minister. He gave a clear answer: no. This invalidates any allegations of fraud made by my detractors.”

Olly Robbins is rightly aggrieved to have been sacked for doing what the prime minister pressured him to do – but in the end this may hurt the loser more than the one who screwed up.

Read The Independent’s editorial below:

Athena Stavrou He joins campaigners in Zack Polanski’s hometown of Hackney; Here the Greens are confident they can deal a blow to Labour’s dominance in the capital.