Starmer admits his former comms chief was put forward for ambassador role

• Sir Keir Starmer's former communications chief, Matthew Doyle, was considered for an ambassadorial role despite lacking diplomatic experience, sacked Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins revealed.
• Robbins testified that No 10 pushed for Doyle's appointment and instructed him to conceal the request from then-foreign secretary David Lammy, making him feel “quite uncomfortable”.
• Sir Keir acknowledged that conversations about other roles often occur when staff leave, but stated “nothing came of this” regarding Doyle's potential ambassadorship.
• Matthew Doyle was later elevated to the House of Lords but subsequently had the Labour whip removed due to his links with a convicted paedophile, Sean Morton, whom he had campaigned for.
• Opposition figures, including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, accused Sir Keir of cronyism over the alleged lobbying for Doyle's diplomatic position.

IN FULL

Starmer admits his former spin doctor was considered for top ambassador job