Lord Peter Mandelson did not have national security vetting before he was appointed as the UK ambassador to the US by Keir Starmer, the foreign secretary has said.
In a letter to the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Emily Thornberry, newly-appointed foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said the vetting was done by the Cabinet Office.
Ms Cooper was asked the following: “What security concerns were raised by the agencies undertaking security clearance ahead of Peter Mandelson's appointment?”
She responded: “The Propriety and Ethics Team in the Cabinet Office (PET) conducted a due diligence process, prior to the announcement of Peter Mandelson's appointment on 20 December 2024 at the request of No. 10.
“The FCDO was not asked to contribute to that process and no issues were raised with the FCDO as a result of this process. This was not a security check.
“After Peter Mandelson's appointment was announced, which started the ambassadorial appointment process, including National Security Vetting, in advance of him taking up his post.”
UK Politics live: Key points
- Starmer dodges debate over Mandelson’s Epstein links
- Cooper says Foreign Office not responsible for vetting Mandelson’s appointment
- Badenoch makes three demands of Starmer
- Labour benches empty for crucial debate
- Top Starmer aide quits over sexually explicit Diane Abbott messages
- The problems keep racking up for Starmer – even before Donald Trump touches down
What’s at stake in Trump’s state visit and why Starmer will have to treat the US president like a child
16:28 , Tom Watling
What’s at stake as Starmer babysits Trump through state visit
Top Starmer aide quits over sexually explicit Diane Abbott messages
16:02 , Tom Watling
Top Starmer aide quits over sexually explicit Diane Abbott messages
Labour MP reveals daughter’s ‘horrendous’ experience at scandal-hit mental health hospital
15:51 , Tom Watling
Labour MP reveals daughter’s ‘horrendous’ experience at scandal-hit hospital
Davis closes debate with message of frustration
15:38 , Tom WatlingSir David Davis has closed today’s three-hour debate into the appointment and sacking of Lord Peter Mandelson.
His tone is one of disappointment; Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty refused to disclose any information about the vetting process for Lord Mandelson, arguing it was confidential.
In closing, Sir David said it was clear that “we’re not going to get the answers”.
“We will return to this matter,” he added.
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Ministers could be forced to appear before powerful Commons committee over Mandelson – like Murdoch was over phone hacking, MP suggests
15:28 , Kate Devlin, Whitehall EditorFormer Conservative cabinet minister Sir John Whittingdale has suggested MPs could summons ministers who refuse to appear before a powerful Commons committee to answer questions about Lord Mandelson – just like he famously did with Rupert Murdoch more than a decade ago.
Sir John, a member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said it had tried to question ministers in the Foreign Office and the Cabinet Office over the now ex-ambassador to the US and were told that they were unavailable.
He told the chamber: “I can tell the House that I have had some experience with people who don’t wish to attend before select committees” adding that he hoped if ministers refused to appear the committee would “look to see what other actions can be taken”.
In 2011, Murdoch and his son James agreed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal, after the Commons media committee, which Sir John chaired at that stage, issued summonses when the men initially declined to appear.
Hundreds of firms warn new guidance on single sex spaces is ‘unworkable’ and would cause ‘significant economic harm’
15:21 , David Maddox,
Hundreds of firms warn new draft guidance on single sex spaces is ‘unworkable’
Minister will not disclose details of Mandelson vetting
15:21 , Tom WatlingThe foreign minister Stephen Doughty has announced that he will not disclose details of the vetting process for Lord Peter Mandelson as it is “confidential”.
“National Security Vetting is confidential,” he said. “I am not therefore going to depart from that approach today and release personal information about an individual’s confidential vetting.”
Minister answering questions on Mandelson appointment
15:18 , Tom WatlingAfter more than two hours of questions, a foreign minister is answering the House on why Lord Peter Mandelson was appointed and sacked as the ambassador to the US.
Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State, is currently addressing the Commons.
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‘Don’t patronise me,’ Labour MP tells veteran Tory in tense Mandelson exchange
15:00 , Tom Watling
‘Don’t patronise me,’ Labour MP tells veteran Tory in tense Mandelson exchange
Tice accuses Starmer of misleading the Commons
14:52 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Richard Tice has accused Sir Keir Starmer of misleading the House of Commons, a breach of the ministerial code over which he would be expected to apologise or resign.
The Reform UK deputy leader said: “He said two things to the Leader of the Opposition. Firstly, twice, he said he had confidence in Lord Mandelson, and yet he knew the day before, there's a cache of emails that he didn't want to know the details of about Lord Mandelson's links to Epstein and then the day after he fired him. How is it credulous to believe that you can have confidence in a man given those two facts, within a 24 hour period.”
He added: "Even more significantly, the prime minister said that full due process had been followed during the appointment.”
Mr Tice called for Sir Keir to come to the Commons and answer questions on what he knew and when.
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Elon Musk never misses an opportunity to attack Starmer
14:45 , David Maddox, Political EditorThe Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
With the emergency debate rumbling on over who knew what and when regarding Britain’s recently sacked ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson, Elon Musk has intervened again.
The X owner has not for the first time called for the prime minister resign retweeting a well known social media rightwing commentator.
The original post on X contained one of Sir Keir’s own past tweets when he had told Boris Johnson, “the party is over, resign”.
The same message was now given to Sir Keir. Mr Musk simply reposted it with the word “yes”.
The problem for the prime minister is not Musk though but that a number of Labour MPs are thinking the same thing.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 16, 2025
Labour MP branded ‘risible’ for speech defending Mandelson process
14:34 , Tom WatlingTory MP compares Keir Starmer to Boris Johnson
14:25 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Alec Shelbrooke has compared Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the Peter Mandelson affair to Boris Johnson’s handling of the Chris Pincher affair.
The Tory MP said the Conservatives moved against Mr Johnson when it became clear he had misled the House of Commons about not having evidence of the allegations against Mr Pincher.
“Now we know that this prime minister stood at that dispatch box on Wednesday and said he had not been made aware and did not have any documents when we know his office had them,” he said.
“This party moved against that prime minister when it became apparent he did know, and I look at those Labour backbenchers and say to them, do you have the courage to move now against this prime minister who has done exactly what the former prime minister did in this country?” he added.
Stephen Flynn attacks Mandelson over ‘f*** off’ remark
14:14 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The Westminster leader of the SNP has lashed out at Lord Mandelson for telling a Financial Times journalist to “f*** off” for asking him about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
“Not my quote, his,” Stephen Flynn said, as his remark drew gasps in the Commons.
“He was being asked about his relationship with Epstein and said it was an FT obsession, well guess what, it is all of our obsession now,” Mr Flynn added.
He said: “The greatest scandal of all, is the fact that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom appointed a man to that role, knowing that that man had maintained a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, despite the fact that Jeffrey Epstein had been convicted in 2008 in Florida, convicted, convicted for having 14 year old girls masturbate him and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, thought it was fitting for the best friend of that individual to hold the highest diplomatic office in the United States of America on behalf of the people of these Isles.
“What a complete disgrace.”
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Labour MP branded ‘risible’ for speech defending Mandelson process
14:04 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
A Labour MP has used the emergency debate to defend the process behind Lord Mandelson’s appointment, arguing it is no different to past failures made in the vetting of senior staff.
But John Slinger’s speech was branded “risible” by the father of the house Sir Edward Leigh.
He said: “That speech we just heard was absolutely risible, frankly, and I would just give him some advice. You know, don't do the whips' dirty work.”
Mr Slinger rose again to tell Sir Edward: “Please don’t patronise me.”
Sir Iain Duncan Smith then intervened to add: “Advice for the member opposite… those that lick the feet of the unworthy get for themselves nothing but a dirty tongue.”
Corbyn accuses Starmer of targeting the poor in rallying cry for his new left-wing party
14:00 , Tom Watling
Corbyn accuses Starmer of targeting the poor in rallying cry for new left-wing party
Badenoch runs through Labour’s year of scandal
13:45 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Kemi Badenoch has given a damning verdict on Labour’s first year in power, saying it has been defined by scandal.
The Tory leader said: “The only plan that they came into office with was a promise they made again and again to the British public that they would restore honesty and integrity to the government.
“That was their defining mission. That was their grand plan, and it is in tatters.
“So far in a year, we have had an anti corruption minister sacked for corruption, a homelessness minister sacked for evicting tenants, a housing secretary sacked for dodging housing tax, a transport secretary sacked for fraud, a director of strategy, the speech writer apparently lost only yesterday in scandal.”
Badenoch makes three demands of Starmer
13:38 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Kemi Badenoch has made three demands of Sir Keir Starmer as she attacks the prime minister over the Lord Mandelson scandal.
The Tory leader said: “He must apologise to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for ever having appointed Peter Mandelson as ambassador, how is it that this has still not happened? No apology.
“Second, as I said, he must publish the Mandelson-Epstein files in full, all the information that he had at his disposal, both when he made the appointment and when he came to the house last week, expressing full confidence.
“And third, he must make sure that someone takes responsibility.”
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Kemi Badenoch present but Starmer ducks Commons
13:36 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Kemi Badenoch has shown up for the emergency debate in the Commons, while Sir Keir Starmer has ducked the session.
The Tory leader has condemned the prime minister for “sending his junior ministers to cover for him” and dodging scrutiny.
Ms Badenoch said: “The prime minister needs to take responsibility for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, but the prime minister, Mr. Speaker, is not here.
“He is hiding from parliament, hiding from questions, and I know that he is a busy man, but confidence in him and in his government rests on him being able to account for what happened and so far, all far, no one is taking any responsibility.”
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Is being friends with a paedophile worse than being born in Belfast? Thornberry asks
13:30 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Dame Emily Thornberry has said Lord Mandelson was given more leniency for being friends with a paedophile than career civil servants born in Belfast or who have married Iranians.
Speaking about Lord Mandelson’s security vetting, the chair of parliament’s foreign affairs committee said: “Now career civil servants are regularly subject to such tests, and many have stories of their appointments being delayed or even prohibited because they've studied abroad, because they've married an Iranian or because they were simply born in Belfast.
“So the question is this, does having sufficient significant information in the public domain about your relationship with an internationally prolific child sex offender not raise more red flags than simply being born in Belfast is a civil servant a greater risk to this country because they are married to somebody who was born in the Middle East, or because they were close friends with Jeffrey Epstein.”
Cooper says Foreign Office not responsible for vetting Mandelson’s appointment
13:19 , Tom WatlingForeign secretary Yvette Cooper has revealed in a letter that the Foreign Office had no responsibility for failing to recognise that Lord Peter Mandelson was an inappropriate candidate for the US ambassador.
In a letter to the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Emily Thornberry, Ms Cooper said the vetting was done by the Cabinet Office.
Ms Cooper was asked the following: “What security concerns were raised by the agencies undertaking security clearance ahead of Peter Mandelson's appointment?”
She responded: “The Propriety and Ethics Team in the Cabinet Office (PET) conducted a due diligence process, prior to the announcement of Peter Mandelson's appointment on 20 December 2024 at the request of No. 10.
“The FCDO was not asked to contribute to that process and no issues were raised with the FCDO as a result of this process. This was not a security check.
“After Peter Mandelson's appointment was announced, which started the ambassadorial appointment process, including National Security Vetting, in advance of him taking up his post.”
Mandelson’s Epstein links were ‘crystal clear’ before PMQs
13:14 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Peter Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein were “crystal clear” before Sir Keir Starmer went out to defend him at PMQs last week, Sir David Davis has said.
“What precisely did the prime minister learn from reading the Bloomberg emails, not already known about Lord Madison from public information and vetting done before,” the Tory MP has asked.
He has said Lord Mandelson’s connections with Epstein and other controversial figures are well-known and in the public domain, and that any other concerns should have been flagged during his vetting for the ambassadorial role.
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'Mandelson fallout does risk overshadowing the state visit,' says Tory leader
13:08 , Rebecca WhittakerThe row surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson risks overshadowing Donald Trump’s state visit, Kemi Badenoch has said.
The Tory leader told broadcasters in central London: “I think the Mandelson fallout does risk overshadowing the state visit.
“This should have been a visit strengthening UK-US relations. But because of Keir Starmer’s bad judgment appointing Peter Mandelson it appears, according to newspaper reports, against security concerns, having to lose him because of his close friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“I think that this has been a complete disaster for Keir Starmer.”
David Lammy says introduction of Hillsborough law is 'historic moment'
13:00 , Tom WatlingMandelson has always been ‘easily dazzled by wealth and glamour’, Davis says
12:59 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Lord Mandelson has always been “easily dazzled by wealth and glamour” and is “willing to use his public position to pursue those things”, Sir David Davis has said.
The Tory MP is setting out what he claims are a series of reasons why the Labour grandee was never fit to be appointed ambassador to the US in the first place.
He said: “As trade commissioner, he was criticized on numerous occasions for accepting lavish hospitality from companies whose commercial interests he was in the process of ruling on whether it's Microsoft or an Italian shoe producer or whatever, and this lavish hospitality, for some reason, often involves free luxury cruises. But he saw nothing wrong with this apparent compromising behavior.”
Burgon calls for Mandelson to lose the Labour whip
12:56 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Richard Burgon has called for Lord Mandelson to be stripped of the Labour whip in the Lords, comparing Sir Keir Starmer’s failure to suspend him to his action against other Labour MPs.
The Labour left-winger asked why Diane Abbott and Rachael Maskell had been suspended by the Labour Party while Lord Mandelson had not yet.
“Aren’t all of those things decisions by the prime minister and don’t people outside of here including Labour members think that is completely unfair,” he said.
Sir David Davis responded and called it a “double standard” in the Labour Party and accepted that Mr Burgon “has got a point”.
Labour benches empty for crucial debate
12:55 , David Maddox, Political EditorThe Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
Noticeable that the Opposition benches for this debate on what the prime minister knew ahead of the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US are full but the Labour benches are almost empty.
Many on the government benches are those like Leeds East Richard Burgon who are on the left of the party and want to criticise Sir Keir Starmer for picking a notorious Blairite who had twice before been forced to resign as a minister.
The reality is though that many Labour MPs who are already having questions about their leader and prime minister do not want to be tarnished by a scandal that is causing this government immense damage.
David Davis calls for “candour, transparency and frankness” from ministers
12:47 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir David Davis, who secured the emergency debate on Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, called for “candour, transparency and frankness” from ministers.
He said it was an exquisite coincidence that the emergency debate followed the government’s presentation of the Hillsborough Law, which would impose a duty on public officials to act with the values above.
Opening the debate, the Tory MP said: “There are many questions on many levels in this matter, and the government must answer them all, and it so far, singularly failed to do so.”
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Emergency debate begins
12:46 , Tom WatlingThe emergency debate into Lord Peter Mandelson’s sacking has begun.
Rt Hon David Davis, MP for Goole and Pocklington, Conservative, has opened the debate. He requested that it be held.
He said there are four categories of questions, including whether Lord Mandelson was “ever an appropriate candidate” for US ambassador, what vetting processes had been in place, what led to his sacking and how does the House bring about the full truth of the sacking.
In photos: Starmer holds cabinet meeting this morning
12:40 , Tom WatlingPhotos from this morning’s cabinet meeting have been published.
The meeting took place ahead of an emergency debate into the hiring and sacking of Lord Peter Mandelson, and as Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership is under considerable strain following multiple resignations.
MPs to hold debate on Mandelson
12:36 , Tom WatlingMPs are expected to begin a debate on the appointment and sacking of Lord Peter Mandelson shortly.
Sir Keir Starmer has come under fierce pressure for hiring the veteran Labour politician last December despite his well-known relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Fresh revelations about that relationship, including that Lord Mandelson supported Epstein after the disgraced financier was jailed for a child sex offence in 2008, culminated in the former ambassador to the US’s sacking.
The debate is set to last up to three hours and was secured by Tory MP David Davis. A minister is due to answer questions for Sir Keir.
Jenrick calls on Lammy to apologise to victims of Epstein over Mandelson appointment
12:31 , Tom WatlingShadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has called on Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy to apologise to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.
During justice questions, Mr Jenrick told the Commons: “Child sex offenders destroy the lives of their victims. So why did the Justice Secretary (Mr Lammy), as foreign secretary, appoint the best pal, a known business partner of one of the world’s most notorious paedophiles, as our ambassador to Washington?
“And what message does the minister think this sends to the victims of rape and child sex abuse here in the UK?”
In her response, justice minister Alex Davies-Jones replied: “Child sexual abuse is some of the most abhorrent crimes in our society. That is why it is this Government that is enacting the recommendations of the grooming gangs inquiry.”
Mr Jenrick also asked: “Did the Justice Secretary not read the papers which detailed Mandelson’s extensive connections to Epstein after he had been convicted? Or did he read them and flippantly disregard the crimes and pain he caused so many? And will the minister take this opportunity, in her role, to apologise on behalf of the Justice Secretary to Epstein’s victims?”
Ms Davies-Jones replied: “(Mr Jenrick) says from a seated position that this is about justice for victims. If this was really about justice for victims, in 14 years of his government he would have carried out reforms to ensure that victims get swift justice.”
Watch: Why Starmer has to roll out the red carpet for Trump (again)
12:20 , Rebecca WhittakerBadenoch calls for Starmer to be 'honest' about former US ambassador
12:00 , Rebecca WhittakerTory leader Kemi Badenoch has called for prime minister Keir Starmer to be “honest” about what he knew about former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson.
She wrote in a post on X: “Keir Starmer is not being honest about Peter Mandelson.”
“He needs to come clean and publish the Mandelson-Epstein files in full. Today,” she added.
It comes as Starmer dodges an emergency debate in the Commons today over the hiring and sacking of former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson.
Keir Starmer is not being honest about Peter Mandelson.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) September 16, 2025
He needs to come clean and publish the Mandelson-Epstein files in full. Today.
Badenoch acknowledged her party is having a 'tough and bumpy time'
11:43 , Rebecca WhittakerKemi Badenoch suggested there may be more defections from the Conservatives “because of poll ratings” or “because they don’t like the new policies”.
Responding to the defections of East Wiltshire MP Danny Kruger and former MP Maria Caulfield, Mrs Badenoch told GB News: “Every leader regrets losing people to another party.
“I remember when Labour were doing very well in the polls last year, we lost two or three MPs defecting to them. There will be some people who will go to another party because of poll ratings. I have to make sure that I’m very focused on the strategy.
“There will be people who will leave because they don’t like the new policies, like me saying that we need to live within our means, no more lavish spending, it’s time to cut welfare, time to get people out of work (sic).
“We’re going to see that. When a party has just had a historic defeat, we will have a very tough and bumpy time before we come back up again.”
She added: “There may be some people who are impatient. I’m sorry if they’re not willing to wait, and they just want to rush to whatever is looking good right now, but what I’m doing is going to work in the long-term.”
Cryptocoins, official merch and Elon Musk: How Tommy Robinson pulled off his biggest march yet
11:33 , Holly Bancroft, Social Affairs Correspondent
Cryptocoins, merch and Elon Musk: How Tommy Robinson pulled off his biggest march yet
State pension set to rise by more than £500 a year from April, figures suggest
11:21 , Tom WatlingPeople on the new full state pension are set for a rise of over £500 a year from next April following the latest official earnings data.
Under the triple lock guarantee, the state pension increases every April in line with whichever is the highest of total earnings growth in the year from May to July of the previous year, CPI (Consumer Prices Index) inflation in September of the previous year, or 2.5%.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a rise in total wage growth including bonuses to 4.7% in the quarter to July, up from 4.6% in the three months to June.
While the final piece of the puzzle will not come until inflation figures for September are published in October, it is thought unlikely that the rate of Consumer Prices Index will be higher than 4.7%.
Inflation currently stands at 3.8%, with the latest data for August due out on Wednesday.
Experts said this means the wage rise will be used to calculate the figure for the annual increase, putting pensioners on track for a 4.7% uplift in the state pension next year.
Maria Caulfield defects to Reform as Nigel Farage claims another former Tory minister
10:57 , Tom WatlingFormer health minister Maria Caulfield has become the latest Conservative politician to defect to Reform in another blow for Kemi Badenoch.
It comes less than a day after the shock defection of sitting Conservative MP Danny Kruger to Nigel Farage’s party.
Read the full story below.
Maria Caulfield defects to Reform as Nigel Farage claims another former Tory minister
Stop Trump Coalition protest group issue warning ahead of president’s state visit
10:46 , Tom Watling
Stop Trump Protest group issue warning ahead of president’s state visit
The problems keep racking up for Starmer – even before Donald Trump touches down
10:29 , Kate Devlin, Whitehall EditorIt’s a funny old world when a visit from the notoriously unpredictable Donald Trump might offer the PM some respite.
After a torrid few weeks in which the PM has lost three major figures in his government, including his deputy, his US ambassador and a key aide, the problems keep mounting for Keir Starmer.
This morning he faces calls to act over Gaza - again - after a UN report concluded Israel has committed genocide.
The PM has managed to pull off two meetings with President Trump which have gone well.
But could his luck run out?
After all Theresa May also thought she had charmed him when she secured a state visit during her premiership.
Yet as he stood beside her at a press conference in Chequers (where, coincidentally, Starmer and Trump will be later this week) he heaped praise on her then arch-rival... one Boris Johnson.
Starmer dodges debate over Mandelson’s Epstein links
10:19 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has had enough of answering questions about what he knew, and when, about Lord Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The prime minister will send out one of his ministers instead to field questions about the timeline of the ex-ambassador to the US’s appointment.
The debate will last up to three hours and was secured by Tory MP David Davis.
It is not surprising that the PM would not respond directly to an emergency debate called on the appointment of an ambassador by a backbench MP.
But critics will view it as the prime minister dodging further scrutiny of one of the most perilous moments of his time in office so far.
New Corbyn party to hold founding conference in November
10:15 , Tom WatlingFormer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s new political party will hold its founding conference in November, with delegates chosen by lottery.
In an email to supporters, the party said it would open membership applications by the end of September, ahead of the conference two months later.
But it did not give precise dates for the conference, saying only that it would see “thousands” of delegates “chosen by lottery to ensure a fair balance of gender, region and background”.
Ahead of that conference, the party said it would hold “regional assemblies” where members can “listen to each other, break bread and debate” founding documents.
It will also hold a vote on the party’s name in October, replacing its current temporary title of “Your Party”.
Powell leads polls to become next Labour deputy leader
09:58 , Tom WatlingThe recently-fired Lucy Powell is the favourite to replace Sir Keir Starmer’s right-hand woman Angela Rayner as the deputy leader of the Labour Party, a poll has shown.
A Survation survey carried out for LabourList put Powell, the former leader of the Commons, in a clear lead ahead of education secretary Bridget Phillipson.
The survey of 1,112 people found Powell 15 points ahead of Phillipson with the support of 47 per cent of Labour members to the education secretary’s 30 per cent.
Of the 23 per cent that are undecided, nearly two thirds are leaning towards Powell.
While Phillipson is seen as an establishment figure, supporters believe Powell, fired by Sir Keir just two weeks ago, could be a more vocal critic of the current premiership.
The new deputy leader will be announced by the party on 25 October. They will replace Ms Rayner, who resigned after failing to pay the appropriate rate of stamp duty on a property in Hove.
Ministers arrive for cabinet meeting
09:43 , Tom WatlingMinisters have been pictured arriving for this morning’s cabinet meeting at Downing Street.
The meeting comes at a turbulent time for Sir Keir Starmer’s government as an emergency debate is set to take place later today into his appointment of the recently sacked Lord Peter Mandelson.
Clegg calls out US voices for looking to ‘turn this country into little MAGA Britain’
09:31 , Tom WatlingAhead of Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, in which he is expected to grill Sir Keir Starmer on what he perceives to be a free speech problem in the UK, Sir Nick Clegg has accused the likes of Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson of trying to create a “little Maga Britain”.
Speaking to ITV’s Robert Peston, the former deputy prime minister and Meta Global Affairs chief said it was paramount that the Trump administration’s attempted intervention in UK free speech laws is called out.
What’s at stake in Trump’s state visit and why Starmer will have to treat the US president like a child
09:13 , Sam Kiley, World Affairs EditorPeter Mandelson has learned that favours for, and loyalty to, a sex offender can end a sticky career. Keir Starmer, this week, is bringing the King himself into a bid to charm another American who’s been found liable for sexual assault, convicted of felonies, and is a serial bankrupt.
Mandelson oiled up to Jeffrey Epstein because Britain’s former ambassador to Washington has always seemingly been mesmerised by power and money.
Starmer has organised Donald Trump’s state visit, pomp, parades and banquets as a strategic necessity – to wean the US president off the Russian teat. To protect Britain’s economy from the US president. And to protect the UK and Europe from a surge in Trumpian ideologues at home.
What’s at stake as Starmer babysits Trump through state visit
Mel Stride: Musk's speech at Robinson rally was wrong kind of tone
09:01 , Tom WatlingElon Musk’s rhetoric at the Unite the Kingdom march was “the wrong kind of tone,” shadow chancellor Mel Stride said.
Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme by host Nick Robinson about Mr Musk’s speech at the protest, Mr Stride said: “Well, I personally, I think when people say, you know, ‘stand up and fight or die’ and phraseology like that, I think is deeply unfortunate.
“I think it’s the wrong kind of tone, personally, but I do think underlying all this Nick, there’s an important point which is that we need to deal with some of the fundamentals of what is driving some of these comments.
“We live in an increasingly divisive society.
“We know that illegal migration is playing a part in that, and we need to have this Government get a grip on that.”
Penny Mordaunt 'can't understand' why Tories are deflecting to Reform
08:53 , Tom WatlingMel Stride: ‘Danny Kruger is profoundly wrong to say it’s over for Tories’
08:44 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentMel Stride has said Danny Kruger is “profoundly wrong” to say it is over for the Conservative Party following his defection to Reform UK.
The shadow chancellor said: “It is certainly the case that we had a devastating defeat about a year ago, that we lost that connection with the electorate, that trust with the electorate, and it is also true that it will take us time to rebuild that.”
He said the Tories have four years until the next general election and must “hold our nerve” about Reform’s surge in the polls in the meantime.
Starmer faces cabinet as government turmoil deepens
08:35 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer will face his cabinet at 9.30am as the crisis engulfing his government deepens.
With questions spiralling about his appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson and the fresh blow of the departure of a senior aide, the prime minister will seek to rally his ministers behind his vision.
To ease tensions, he will be able to talk up his Hillsborough Law, which he says will prevent a culture of state cover-ups similar to the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
But worrying his top team will be a three-hour debate this afternoon in parliament about exactly what the PM knew, and when, about Lord Mandelson’s ties to Epstein.
Starmer: Hillsborough Law will change the lives of thousands
08:28 , Tom WatlingSir Keir Starmer said the Hillsborough Law would change the lives of thousands of people.
He said: “I really want you to appreciate just how important it is and profound.
“You have changed the lives not just of the families involved in all of those scandals and injustices, you are also going to change the lives of thousands of people you will never meet, who for years and years and decades and generations to come will now be able to point to what you have done and say ‘we don’t have to go through that’.”
Campaigner Margaret Aspinall said: “I thought this is a day that was not going to happen.”
“This is not just about a legacy for the 97,” she said, in reference to the number of Liverpool fans who died in the tragedy.
“This is a legacy for the people of this country and I think that is the most important thing.”
Top Starmer aide quits over sexually explicit Diane Abbott messages
08:23 , Archie Mitchell, Political CorrespondentThe Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
One of Sir Keir Starmer’s top aides has quit after it emerged he had exchanged sexually explicit messages about the veteran left-wing MP Diane Abbott.
In a fresh blow to the beleaguered prime minister, Paul Ovenden announced he was leaving his role as Downing Street’s director of strategy to avoid becoming a “distraction” after the 2017 messages were uncovered.
The former journalist, who has worked for Labour for more than a decade, had reportedly exchanged emails with a colleague at the time that included sexually explicit remarks about Ms Abbott.
Top Starmer aide quits over sexually explicit Diane Abbott messages
ICYMI: Mandelson sacked over fresh revelations about Epstein revelations
08:21 , Tom WatlingThe story of Lord Peter Mandelson’s relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is one that won’t go away - unfortunately, for Sir Keir Starmer.
The PM’s choice last December to elect Mandelson, the veteran Labour politician, to the role of US ambassador was high risk, high reward, given the figure’s well-known relationship with Epstein.
But fresh revelations about Mandelson’s support for Epstein even after the disgraced former banker was jailed for a child sex offence tipped the scales the wrong way for Sir Keir.
The rewards, which include a trade deal with the US, have been fatally outweighed by the risks.
Below, you can read the full story of Mandelson’s sacking and the fresh revelations about his relationship with Epstein.
Peter Mandelson sacked as US ambassador after revelations over his links to Epstein
Hillsborough Law will not be watered down, says minister
08:19 , Tom WatlingThe so-called Hillsborough Law will not be watered down in Parliament, a justice minister has promised.
Asked whether she could guarantee that the Bill would not be watered down as some Hillsborough families fear, justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said: "Of course, and I recognise those concerns.
"These families have been fighting for decades for justice. They have been making promise after promise, and the previous government failed to do in 14 years what this Government has done in 14 months in bringing forward that legislation."
She added: "I will be making sure with my colleagues in Parliament that it remains as robust as it can be and is a fitting tribute to all those who have campaigned for this."
Minister says France migration deal will go ahead
08:18 , Tom WatlingDeportations under the "one in, one out" deal with France will go ahead, a minister has insisted.
But justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said she would not give a "running commentary" on when deportations would occur, claiming this would give people smugglers "exactly what they want".
She told Times Radio: "I'm not going to comment or give a running commentary on what is happening here."
Asked when migrants would be returned to France, she said: "These deportations will be happening as soon as possible."
But she declined to say when, or whether asylum seekers due to arrive from France as part of the scheme would still fly to the UK later this week.
Asked why she would not comment, she said: "If I was to break down with you exactly a time-by-time, day-by-day movement on our returns policy, then that would be giving these abhorrent people smugglers exactly what they want.
"This would be allowing them to know what the Government is doing when, and they would be able to respond to that. We are not going to be doing them any favours."
Victims minister: ‘I was disgusted by Mandelson’s emails’
08:18 , Tom WatlingThe victims minister has said she was “disgusted” by Lord Mandelson’s emails to Jeffrey Epstein and “knew he had to go”.
Alex Davies-Jones said she is “glad that he has gone” and supported Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the scandal.
“The prime minister appointed him on the information he had at hand and as soon as he was aware as I said, the action was taken and he was removed and he was right to be removed,” she told BBC Breakfast.
Ms Davies-Jones said: “When I read what was in those emails, I was truly disgusted, and I knew that Mandelson had to go, and I'm glad that he has gone.”
Starmer to face pressure over Mandelson’s Epstein ties
08:17 , Tom WatlingSir Keir Starmer will come under fresh pressure on Tuesday as he faces a debate on who knew what and when about Lord Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The prime minister will send out one of his ministers to defend his handling of the scandal of the now-sacked ambassador to Washington’s friendship with the paedophile.
He has faced scrutiny after admitting he was aware of a cache of emails, but not of their content, before he went out to defend Lord Mandelson at PMQs last week.
The contents of the emails later proved fatal for Lord Mandelson’s ability to cling on to the job, raising questions about why Sir Keir went out to bat for the Labour grandee.
Good morning
08:17 , Tom WatlingThere’s a lot going on today in the world of UK politics, as Sir Keir Starmer faces further scrutiny over his government’s appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
It’s been a turbulent few weeks for Sir Keir; after the resignation of his deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, followed by an emergency cabinet reshuffle and then the sacking of Mandelson, MPs are now openly speculating that his premiership could come to an abrupt halt.
It went from bad to worse for Sir Keir last night as another of his top aides, director of strategy Paul Ovenden, quit over lewd comments about veteran MP Dianne Abbott.
And it’s all unfolding as Donald Trump readies to touch down in the UK this evening for a state visit. The US president is expected to grill the PM over Britain’s free speech laws.
You can follow all the day’s events here as we bring you live updates.
