Starmer Badly Damaged By Mandelson Scandal Despite Dodging Sleaze Probe |
Starmer Badly Damaged By Mandelson Scandal Despite Dodging Sleaze Probe
The prime minister whipped his MPs to vote against Tory claims he misled parliament over the controversy.
Keir Starmer has comfortably dodged a Tory attempt to force a sleaze inquiry into the Peter Mandelson scandal.
MPs voted 335 to 223 against a Commons motion calling the Privileges Committee to launch a probe into claims the prime minister misled parliament by saying “due process” had been followed when Mandelson was made UK ambassador to Washington.
It emerged two weeks ago that UK Security Vetting (UKSV) had in fact recommended Mandelson not be given clearance to take up the role.
Starmer was also accused of misleading parliament at prime minister’s questions last week by insisting no pressure was put on Foreign Office civil servants to approve the shamed former Labour peer’s appointment.
Sir Olly Robbins, the former top civil servant in the department who was sacked by the PM for his role........