The Prime Minister has survived a major Labour rebellion after MPs rejected a motion to open an inquiry into claims that he misled the House over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
By a majority of 112 votes, 335 to 223, Labour used its majority to block the “sleaze” inquiry which allies called a "political stunt". The result means Sir Keir Starmer appears to be over the worst of a scandal that has rocked the foundations of his premiership.
Labour MPs were ordered to oppose the attempt to launch an investigation, which was led by the Tories and supported by the Liberal Democrats, SNP and other opposition MPs.
However, there were 15 Labour MPs who went against the three-line whip and voted to subject the PM to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.
The vote came after Sir Keir was put in the clear when his former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, took the fall for the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US.
Starmer warns Iran war could put holidays and food shopping habits under threat
Starmer urges Labour MPs to vote against parliamentary probe into Mandelson row
Charles to tell Congress that US-UK relationship is one of ‘reconciliation and renewal’
Labour MPs face a ‘lose-lose’ vote on Starmer sleaze inquiry
Key points
- Starmer gets through parliament vote to block inquiry
- McSweeney says he was wrong to back Mandelson for US ambassador job
- Mandelson put his own name forward for ambassador job, McSweeney says
- Mandelson was inside No 10 on day of reshuffle
- Who is Morgan McSweeney?
- Analysis: Important part of McSweeney evidence is to dispel Mandelson power claims
- Starmer faces crunch vote on Mandelson vetting row
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Watch: MP questions if No.10 ignored The Independent report on Peter Mandelson
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Who were the 15 Labour MPs who voted for the motion ?
06:00 , Becky WhittakerThere were 15 Labour MPs who went against the three-line whip and voted to subject the PM to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, was among the MPs to disobey orders to reject the motion to refer Sir Keir to the Privileges Committee.
She was joined in the aye lobby by her party colleagues Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East), Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre), Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Grahame Morris (Easington), and Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham).
However, Ms Smith also voted against the motion, which could indicate a formal abstention.
Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), Richard Burgon (Leeds East), Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby), Imran Hussain (Bradford East), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornby East), John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) voted in support of the motion.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East), who recently lost the Labour whip, also voted in favour of the motion.
Overall MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
'Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion,' Badenoch says
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MPs will “rue the day” they voted against referring Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee, Kemi Badenoch has said.
The Conservative leader said: “To save his own skin, Keir Starmer threatened his MPs with the loss of their jobs unless they helped cover up his misleading statements to Parliament. It is a disgrace that 333 Labour MPs chose to be complicit in that cover up.
“It is very notable that the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister would not repeat his boss’s claim that there “was no pressure whatsoever” from No 10 on the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
“This is a government coming apart at the seams. They are more interested in their own survival than the cost of living crisis affecting hardworking families.
“Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion, because it is the day that people saw they believe there’s one rule for Labour and another for everyone else.”
Watch: Starmer sees off Tory calls for inquiry into Mandelson affair
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerConservatives accused of a 'desperate political stunt'
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerDowning Street accused the Conservatives of resorting to a “desperate political stunt” after MPs rejected a bid to launch an inquiry into whether Sir Keir Starmer misled the Commons over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: “This Labour Government is delivering for Britain including bringing down energy bills, cutting hospital waiting lists and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
“The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.
“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”
Recap: Parliamentary committee finishes going through Mandelson files
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerParliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has finished reviewing the Government’s proposed redactions to documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador ahead of publication.
In a statement, committee chairman Lord Beamish said the ISC had “now reviewed all documents which the Government has referred to it, including those provided to it just 24 hours ago, and reached a decision on the redactions which the Government had requested on the basis that it deemed the information was prejudicial to UK national security or international relations”.
He added that some documents had not yet been provided “because they are subject to the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police” into allegations against Lord Mandelson of misconduct in public office.
Lord Beamish said the Government could still contest any decision on redactions, which would be dealt with at a committee hearing after the state opening of Parliament next month.
He added: “There will be no further process and Government must then publish the documents as directed by the committee.
“The Committee will continue to keep Parliament informed of its work to discharge the responsibilities given to it by Parliament under the Humble Address.
“The Committee has made exceptional efforts to ensure that it is not holding up the publication of documents and we wish to make very clear that any delay in Government responding to the Humble Address is in no way due to the Committee’s part in the process.”
Starmer escapes sleaze inquiry after ex-top aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer is in the clear over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal after his former political aide took the blame for his appointment on another turbulent day in parliament.
By a majority of 112 votes, 335 to 223, Labour used its majority to block a “sleaze” inquiry by the powerful Commons Privileges Committee into whether the prime minister misled parliament. It means Sir Keir appears to be over the worst of a scandal that has rocked the foundations of his premiership.
Read more here:
Starmer in the clear after former aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
Editorial: One more time, Mr McSweeney comes to Sir Keir Starmer’s aid
00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAs the evidence given by the former Downing Street chief of staff makes clear, the way the prime minister has treated parliament throughout the Mandelson saga is one of the few things that has gone right with it. Sir Keir has no case to answer.
Read more here:
Watch: King Charles hails 'irreplaceable and unbreakable' bond between US and UK
23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerKing acknowledged victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal
22:30 , Becky WhittakerThe King has acknowledged victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal highlighting in a speech to Congress the “collective strength” of the UK and US to support survivors.
“In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today,” King Charles said in the historic address to a joint session of the US Congress this afternoon.
There have been repeated calls by the family of Virginia Giuffre, a victim of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, for a meeting with the King and Queen, but sources have previously said the couple will not meet them.
The legal implications of Charles and Camilla coming into contact with any survivors of paedophile financier Epstein, and the King’s constitutional position, make a meeting impossible while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.
Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerBritain’s ambassador to Washington said Sir Keir Starmer was “on the ropes” amid the fallout over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and suggested Labour could “remove” him after next month’s local elections, according to reports.
In what will be seen as highly outspoken comments for a career diplomat, a leaked recording released as King Charles visits the US appears to show Sir Christian Turner saying that Lord Peter Mandelson and “potentially the prime minister” had been “brought down” by the affair.
Read more here by Kate Devlin The Independent’s Whitehall Editor:
Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
Recap: Who were the 15 Labour MPs who voted for the motion
21:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThere were 15 Labour MPs who went against the three-line whip and voted to subject the PM to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, was among the MPs to disobey orders to reject the motion to refer Sir Keir to the Privileges Committee.
She was joined in the aye lobby by her party colleagues Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East), Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre), Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Grahame Morris (Easington), and Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham).
However, Ms Smith also voted against the motion, which could indicate a formal abstention.
Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), Richard Burgon (Leeds East), Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby), Imran Hussain (Bradford East), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornby East), John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) voted in support of the motion.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East), who recently lost the Labour whip, also voted in favour of the motion.
Overall MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
The King defends NATO and Royal Navy
21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe King has issued an appeal to Donald Trump to end the war in Iran as he attempted to heal the rift between the US president and Sir Keir Starmer.
King Charles III referred to his “immense pride” at serving in the Royal Navy and stressed the importance of the UK- US alliance as well as NATO in the historic address to a joint session of the US Congress this afternoon.
The monarch said: “The challenges we face are too great for any one Nation to bear alone.
“But in this unpredictable environment, our Alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure. Renewal today starts with security.”
He added: “From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice-caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other’s defence, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries,” the King said.
Watch: Starmer sees off Tory calls for inquiry into Mandelson affair
20:40 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Parliamentary committee finishes going through Mandelson files
20:20 , Rebecca WhittakerParliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has finished reviewing the Government’s proposed redactions to documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador ahead of publication.
In a statement, committee chairman Lord Beamish said the ISC had “now reviewed all documents which the Government has referred to it, including those provided to it just 24 hours ago, and reached a decision on the redactions which the Government had requested on the basis that it deemed the information was prejudicial to UK national security or international relations”.
He added that some documents had not yet been provided “because they are subject to the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police” into allegations against Lord Mandelson of misconduct in public office.
Lord Beamish said the Government could still contest any decision on redactions, which would be dealt with at a committee hearing after the state opening of Parliament next month.
He added: “There will be no further process and Government must then publish the documents as directed by the committee.
“The Committee will continue to keep Parliament informed of its work to discharge the responsibilities given to it by Parliament under the Humble Address.
“The Committee has made exceptional efforts to ensure that it is not holding up the publication of documents and we wish to make very clear that any delay in Government responding to the Humble Address is in no way due to the Committee’s part in the process.”
Watch: Starmer survives another day as former aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
20:00 , Rebecca Whittaker'Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion,' Badenoch says
19:45 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MPs will “rue the day” they voted against referring Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee, Kemi Badenoch has said.
The Conservative leader said: “To save his own skin, Keir Starmer threatened his MPs with the loss of their jobs unless they helped cover up his misleading statements to Parliament. It is a disgrace that 333 Labour MPs chose to be complicit in that cover up.
“It is very notable that the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister would not repeat his boss’s claim that there “was no pressure whatsoever” from No 10 on the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
“This is a government coming apart at the seams. They are more interested in their own survival than the cost of living crisis affecting hardworking families.
“Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion, because it is the day that people saw they believe there’s one rule for Labour and another for everyone else.”
MP says it was 'wrong' to order backbenchers to oppose the investigation
19:30 , Rebecca WhittakerA Labour MP has said it was “wrong” to order backbenchers to oppose an attempt to launch an investigation into Sir Keir Starmer over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Emma Lewell argued the Government’s handling of the privileges motion suggests to the public there is something to hide, and she “can’t understand” why the Prime Minister would not agree to it.
Ms Lewell was joined by a series of Labour colleagues in saying they believed Sir Keir should report himself to the Privileges Committee.
Ministers dismissed the move brought forward by opposition parties as a “political stunt” ahead of May’s elections.
Conservatives accused of a 'desperate political stunt'
19:15 , Rebecca WhittakerDowning Street accused the Conservatives of resorting to a “desperate political stunt” after MPs rejected a bid to launch an inquiry into whether Sir Keir Starmer misled the Commons over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: “This Labour Government is delivering for Britain including bringing down energy bills, cutting hospital waiting lists and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
“The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.
“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”
The 15 Labour MPs who voted for the motion
19:05 , Becky WhittakerThere were 15 Labour MPs who went against the three-line whip and voted to subject the PM to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, was among the MPs to disobey orders to reject the motion to refer Sir Keir to the Privileges Committee.
She was joined in the aye lobby by her party colleagues Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East), Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre), Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Grahame Morris (Easington), and Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham).
However, Ms Smith also voted against the motion, which could indicate a formal abstention.
Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), Richard Burgon (Leeds East), Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby), Imran Hussain (Bradford East), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornby East), John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) voted in support of the motion.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East), who recently lost the Labour whip, also voted in favour of the motion.
Overall MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
Watch: Starmer sees off Tory calls for inquiry into Mandelson affair
19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerLiberal Democrat Leader said Starmer was 'cowardly' for ducking Privileges Committee investigation
18:50 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Ed Davey called the Prime Minister “cowardly” after he ordered Labour MPs to vote against referring him to the Privileges Committee.
Responding to the Privileges Committee vote, the Liberal Democrat Leader said: “Starmer has ducked the scrutiny he should have faced by forcing Labour MPs to defend him. What a cowardly way to govern.
“If he truly felt his conduct over the Mandelson scandal was up to scratch he should have undergone investigation by the Privileges Committee.
“The Liberal Democrats will always stand up for decency and honesty in politics – unlike this Prime Minister.”
Shouting 'shame' during a vote 'will not be tolerated', Commons speaker says
18:45 , Rebecca WhittakerMPs voting on whether to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee were heckled as they did so, Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said.
Speaking after giving the voting figures, Sir Lindsay said: “Can I just say, a member of Parliament has been to complain to me, and another member.
“When other members are shouting ‘shame’ when they’re voting, it is not acceptable and it will not be tolerated.”
He urged those responsible to apologise to those they had shouted at.
Downing Street reacts to vote blocking inquiry into Starmer
18:39 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
A No10 spokesperson said: “This Labour government is delivering for Britain including bringing down energy bills, cutting hospital waiting lists and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
“The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.
“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”
Starmer gets through parliament vote to block inquiry
18:36 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
Labour has used its massive majority to vote down the motion for an inquiry by the Privileges Committee into whether Keir Starmer misled parliament.
Sir Keir escaped an inquiry with a vote of 335 to 223 against the motion.
But a number of Labour MPs abstained and voted with Opposition parties to support an inquiry.
Sir Keir took the unusual step of ordering a three line whip to force Labour MPs to support the prime minister and avoid an investigation.
Starmer survives crucial vote – but at a cost to his MPs and parliament
18:35 , Rebecca Whittaker
Starmer survives crucial vote – but at a cost to his MPs and parliament
Watch: MP questions if No.10 ignored The Independent report on Peter Mandelson
18:30 , Rebecca WhittakerMPs have rejected the motion
18:30 , Rebecca WhittakerMPs have rejected a motion calling for an inquiry over claims Sir Keir Starmer misled the House over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
Darren Jones refuses to answer why Government would not whip its MPs to vote against Starmer
18:25 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, refused to say whether the Government would not whip its MPs to vote against referring Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee over his comments in the Commons on the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Mr Jones was asked by Independent MP Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr) whether given his confidence, the minister would “support the withdrawal of the whip against backbenchers”.
“I’m not going to answer silly questions,” Mr Jones replied.
He defended the Prime Minister and said the whole Government “recognises the need for transparency”. He said evidence from Catherine Little, Sir Chris Wormald and Sir Olly had all showed that due process had been followed.
Mr Jones added: “In recent weeks some have accused the Prime Minister of dishonesty, saying there was no way that Foreign Office officials would have given Peter Mandelson clearance against the vetting agency’s recommendation, let alone without checking with the Prime Minister.
He said: “The testimony provided by Sir Olly Robbins has disproved those accusations without any question. So rather than focus on the issues affecting our constituents and the country, what do the opposition benches do? They try to shift the goal posts, and have tried again and again to make their arguments fit.
“Today alone we have heard members of the opposition bounce from one accusation to another in a desperate search for something that will stick, and we have been subjected to the ranting incoherence of the leadership of the opposition.”
ISC has reviewed Government’s proposed redactions to documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment
18:15 , Rebecca WhittakerParliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has finished reviewing the Government’s proposed redactions to documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador ahead of publication.
In a statement, committee chairman Lord Beamish said the ISC had “now reviewed all documents which the Government has referred to it, including those provided to it just 24 hours ago, and reached a decision on the redactions which the Government had requested on the basis that it deemed the information was prejudicial to UK national security or international relations”.
He added that some documents had not yet been provided “because they are subject to the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police” into allegations against Lord Mandelson of misconduct in public office.
Lord Beamish said the Government could still contest any decision on redactions, which would be dealt with at a committee hearing after the state opening of Parliament next month.
He added: “There will be no further process and Government must then publish the documents as directed by the committee.
“The Committee will continue to keep Parliament informed of its work to discharge the responsibilities given to it by Parliament under the Humble Address.
“The Committee has made exceptional efforts to ensure that it is not holding up the publication of documents and we wish to make very clear that any delay in Government responding to the Humble Address is in no way due to the Committee’s part in the process.”
MPs to start voting soon
18:03 , Rebecca WhittakerMPs are expected to vote on whether Sir Keir Starmer should face a parliamentary inquiry soon.
The Prime Minister will face a Commons vote on whether he will be referred to the Privileges Committee for claims in the House including that “full due process” had been followed and that “no pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case”.
Starmer’s ex-chief of staff McSweeney admits he made a ‘serious error of judgement’ over Mandelson
18:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer’s ex-chief of staff has admitted he made a “serious error of judgement” and was wrong to back the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, as the PM battles to draw a line under the failed vetting scandal.
Sir Keir faces a crunch moment in his premiership on Tuesday afternoon as MPs vote on whether or not to launch a sleaze inquiry into the saga.
Morgan McSweeney pinned the blame for the row firmly on Lord Mandelson, who he said had not been honest and would not have “come close” to the job if the allegations in the Epstein files had been known at the time.
Read more here:
Ex-Starmer aide McSweeney admits ‘serious error of judgement’ over Mandelson
Voters think Keir Starmer should face an inquiry
17:45 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
YouGov has found that 61 per cent of voters including almost half of Labour voters (49 per cent) believe Sir Keir Starmer should face an inquiry over potentially misleading the Commons on the Peter Mandelson scandal.
As MPs debate whether to send him for investigation by the Privileges Committee the poll suggests that the story has had wider traction that Labour ministers have cared to admit.
YouGov asked 6,557 adults today about what they thought as the debate was set to begin.
Analysis: Labour MPs face a ‘lose-lose’ vote on Starmer sleaze inquiry
17:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAs Starmer faces a crunch vote in parliament, political editor David Maddox talks to Labour MPs and those involved with the Boris Johnson Privileges Committee inquiry to find out what could happen next.
Read more here:
Labour MPs face a ‘lose-lose’ vote on Starmer sleaze inquiry
Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
17:15 , Rebecca WhittakerBritain’s ambassador to Washington said Sir Keir Starmer was “on the ropes” amid the fallout over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and suggested Labour could “remove” him after next month’s local elections, according to reports.
In what will be seen as highly outspoken comments for a career diplomat, a leaked recording released as King Charles visits the US appears to show Sir Christian Turner saying that Lord Peter Mandelson and “potentially the prime minister” had been “brought down” by the affair.
Sir Christian, who replaced Lord Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US after the latter was sacked over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, also criticised America’s political system, saying it was “extraordinary” that the scandal “hasn’t touched anybody” on the other side of the Atlantic.
Read more here by Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin:
Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
Reform deputy leader says the 'evidence is in' ahead of the vote
17:00 , Rebecca WhittakerReform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has urged all MPs to vote in favour of the motion calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the prime minister, urging them to "follow their conscience".
He said: "So we now know that not only actually did the prime minister inadvertently mislead the House with regard to full due process, but he has misled the House for a second time with regard to whether or not any pressure existed whatsoever. The evidence is in.”
He added: "The evidence is in - the prime minister inadvertently misled the House of Commons."
Watch: Starmer survives another day as former aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
16:45 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour is trying to dismiss the motion as a 'stunt' Plaid Cymru MP says
16:36 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour is trying to "swat away" the motion as a "stunt", Ann Davies, Plaid Cymru MP for Caerfyrddin said.
The MP asked why Labour has "forced their MPs to vote against the motion" if the party thinks everything is in order.
It comes after senior Labour figures said the call for a new Mandelson investigation is just a “political stunt”.
Labour MPs 'cannot outrun Peter Mandelson' says SNP leader
16:27 , Rebecca WhittakerThe leader of the SNP in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, has warned that Labour MPs "cannot outrun Peter Mandelson, they cannot outrun their own Prime Minister and his record.”
Speaking as part of the Commons debate on whether Sir Keir Starmer should be referred to the Privileges Committee for an investigation into if he misled parliament he added: “They are acting from a position of profound weakness, and the public see that, and the public smell it.”
Kemi Badenoch says Labour MPs can choose between 'standards' and 'party'
16:15 , Rebecca WhittakerConservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour MPs have to choose between their “promises on standards” or putting “party before country”.
It comes before a key vote which will decide if Sir Keir Starmer will face an inquiry over claims he misled the House over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Labour MPs will be ordered to oppose the attempt to launch an investigation, which has been led by the Tories and supported by the Liberal Democrats, SNP and other opposition MPs.
In a post on X the Conservative leader wrote: “It is up to Labour MPs to choose what kind of politicians they want to be.
“They can live up to their promises on standards and allow the Privileges Committee to decide whether Starmer lied to Parliament.
“Or they can choose to put party before country.”
It is up to Labour MPs to choose what kind of politicians they want to be.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 28, 2026
They can live up to their promises on standards and allow the Privileges Committee to decide whether Starmer lied to Parliament.
Or they can choose to put party before country. pic.twitter.com/8BAjFyyKmq
Full story: Starmer’s ex-chief of staff McSweeney admits he made a ‘serious error of judgement’ over Mandelson
16:00 , Daniel HaygarthSir Keir Starmer’s ex-chief of staff has admitted he made a “serious error of judgement” and was wrong to back the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, as the PM battles to draw a line under the failed vetting scandal.
Sir Keir faces a crunch moment in his premiership on Tuesday afternoon as MPs vote on whether or not to launch a sleaze inquiry into the saga.
Morgan McSweeney pinned the blame for the row firmly on Lord Mandelson, who he said had not been honest and would not have “come close” to the job if the allegations in the Epstein files had been known at the time.
Ex-Starmer aide McSweeney admits ‘serious error of judgement’ over Mandelson
Watch: Badenoch accuses Labour MPs of ‘acting like sheep’ ahead of crunch vetting row vote
15:47 , Dan Haygarth‘Wrong’ to order backbenchers to oppose bid to investigate Starmer, Labour MP says
15:23 , Dan HaygarthA Labour MP has said it is “wrong” to order backbenchers to oppose an attempt to launch an investigation into Sir Keir Starmer over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Emma Lewell argued the Government’s handling of the privileges motion suggests to the public there is something to hide, and she “can’t understand” why the prime minister would not agree to it.
Ministers have dismissed the move brought forward by opposition parties as a “political stunt” ahead of May’s elections.
MPs will vote on whether the Privileges Committee should consider if the prime minister misled the House in relation to the disgraced peer taking the the role of US ambassador at the conclusion of Tuesday’s debate.
Ms Lewell, MP for South Shields, said: “I have watched this whole sorry saga play out for weeks now, like the public, I feel let down, disappointed and I am angry.
“Peter Mandelson should never have been appointed, this was a fundamental failure of judgment. Matthew Doyle should never have been given a peerage, this was also a failure of judgment.
“I feel the way that today’s vote has been handled by the Government smacks, once again, of being out of touch and disconnected from the public mood.
“The fact that MPs like me are being whipped into voting against this motion is, in my view, wrong. It has played into the terrible narrative that there is something to hide and good, decent colleagues will be accused of being complicit in a cover-up.”
Ms Lewell said she “will not be voting against this motion”, adding: “I can’t understand why the prime minister doesn’t refer himself to the committee with a clear statement that he is doing so to clear his name. One quick session of the committee could surely say this matter concluded.
“Instead, it will now drag on and dominate every headline and interview. It will overshadow and undermine every good policy we make, and continue to drag every single one of us down.”
Analysis: Labour MPs face a ‘lose-lose’ vote on Starmer sleaze inquiry
15:07 , Dan HaygarthAs Starmer faces a crunch vote in parliament, political editor David Maddox talks to Labour MPs and those involved with the Boris Johnson Privileges Committee inquiry to find out what could happen next.
Read more:
Labour MPs face a ‘lose-lose’ vote on Starmer sleaze inquiry
Listen to the latest episode of In The Room, The Independent's politics podcast
14:53 , Dan HaygarthMembers of the Privileges Committee expected to abstain on the Starmer vote
14:46 , David MaddoxA member of the Privileges Committee has just told The Independent that they will abstain on the vote because none of the MPs want to prejudice themselves if they are asked to carry out an inquiry into Sir Keir Starmer.
That means Labour MPs Gareth Snell, Paula Barker, Michael Wheeler and Gill Furness; Tories Alberto Costa, the committee chair, and Neil Shastri-Hurst; and Lib Dem MP Anna Sabine should all be expected to be non-participants in the vote.
Labour MPs ‘extremely disappointed’ by government whip on Starmer vote
14:37 , Athena StavrouMPs are currently debating whether Sir Keir Starmer should be referred to the Privileges Committee and potentially face an inquiry into the Mandelson appointment.
The Labour Party have placed a whip on their MPS, meaning they are under instruction to vote against the motion.
But Labour MPs in the chamber are expressing their disappointment of that decision, urging Sir Keir to refer himself to the committee to avoid the vote altogether - as Boris Johnson did in 2022.
Labour MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome said it is "vital" that MPs "do not allow the impression that we are in any way attempting to cover things up for the leadership of our parties".
She said: “And that is why I'm extremely disappointed that labour MPs are being whipped to oppose this motion. votes on House business and not normally whipped.
"And even Boris Johnson's government did not whip conservative MPs to oppose his referral to the Privileges Committee.”
