Starmer breaks silence on putting ex-aide in Lords despite ties to paedophile councillor | Politics | News

Sir Keir Starmer said his former communications chief “failed to give a full explanation for his actions” when he was given the nobility despite being linked to a pedophile councillor. This was a similar excuse to the one he gave for appointing Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.

Lord Matthew Doyle has apologized after the Labor whip was removed for his links to Sean Morton, for whom he campaigned after he was accused of indecent images of children in 2017. But the decision to put Lord Doyle in the upper house has raised new questions about the Prime Minister’s decision.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of knowing about his former consultant doctor’s relationship with Moray councilor Morton when he took over as Lord Doyle.

The Labor leader replied: “Matthew Doyle has not given a full account of his actions. On Monday, I promised my party and my country that there would be change. And yesterday, I raised the whip on Matthew Doyle.”

Previously, Sir Keir insisted Lord Mandelson did not tell him the full truth about his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Once again the Prime Minister is trying to run and hide but his flimsy excuses are not working.

“An investigation has been launched into Matthew Doyle by his new private secretary. The Sunday Times had the news on its front line. How come Keir Starmer is once again trying to claim ignorance?”

“Kemi Badenoch wrote to Starmer last week, demanding an explanation of the advice a pedophile received before turning another friend into a peer.

“We need to know what he knew and when. It is now time to publish all the documents, including details of the Downing Street inquiry and his correspondence with the House of Lords Appointments Committee. There is no need for a cover-up anymore.”

Lord Doyle campaigned for Morton after he was charged over indecent images of children in 2017, saying he believed the candidate’s claims of innocence. The councilman later admitted he had the footage.

In a statement, Lord Doyle apologized “unreservedly” for supporting Morton before the case against him was concluded.

He also said he had “extremely limited” contact with Morton after his conviction.

He said: “I would like to apologize for my past relationship with Sean Morton.

“His crimes were despicable and I completely condemn the actions for which he was rightfully convicted. My thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected by these crimes.

“During my campaign support, Morton repeatedly claimed his innocence to everyone who knew him, especially in court. He later changed his plea in court to guilty.

“It was a clear error of judgment that I did not withhold support before the judicial outcome, for which I apologize unreservedly.”

The Scottish National Party had objected to Lord Doyle’s dominance and Ms Badenoch called on Sir Keir to publish the “review advice and due diligence” reports submitted before his appointment to the Lords.

Lord Doyle took his place in the upper hall in January.

The Labor Party suspended Morton after he appeared in court in late 2016 over indecent images of children.

Lord Doyle campaigned for Morton when he ran as an independent in May 2017.

Morton admitted to possessing indecent images of children in November 2017.

Lord Doyle said: “Those who took his word for it were clearly mistaken. “I have never sought to discount or minimize the seriousness of the crimes for which he was rightly convicted.

“They are clearly abhorrent and I have never questioned his belief.

“Any contact following his conviction was extremely limited and I have not seen or spoken to him for years.

“Twice I attended events organized by others that he attended, and once I saw him checking on his health after concerns had been raised through others.

“I acted to ensure the well-being of a troubled individual by fully condemning the crimes for which he was convicted and making it clear that my thoughts are with the victims of those crimes. “I am sorry for the mistakes I have made. I will not take the Labor whip.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me finish where I started. Morton’s crimes were despicable and my only concern is for his victims.”

The worker said the whip was taken from Lord Doyle while the investigation was ongoing.

A Labor Party spokesman said: “All complaints are dealt with thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures.”

Ms Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer granted peerage to Matthew Doyle despite knowing his ongoing friendship with a man accused of child sex offences.

“The Prime Minister has now suspended the whip, but he needs to clearly state what he was told before making this appointment. We will not let this go.”