Opposition parties have called for Sir Keir Starmer to face a parliamentary inquiry over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, The Independent understands - as the most senior Cabinet Office official prepares for questions on the vetting process on Thursday.
The Tories, SNP and Lib Dems have approached the Speaker of the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, to refer the prime minister to the Privileges Committee after claims he misled parliament when he said that “due process” had been followed.
Sir Keir, speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, said Sir Olly Robbins’ confirmation that the vetting recommendation for Lord Mandelson was not shared with him “puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty”.
However, the PM remains under pressure over his handling of the scandal, including from within his party, with Dan Carden the latest Labour MP to criticise him during an appearance on BBC Newsnight on Wednesday night.
Now The Independent understands opposition parties have asked Sir Lindsey to refer Sir Keir to the Privileges Committee. It is the committee that found Boris Johnson lied to the Commons over so-called partygate. Any motion would be subject to a vote for all MPs.
On Thursday, further scrutiny on the appointment of Lord Mandelson will take place when Cabinet Office permanent secretary, Cat Little, gives evidence before the Foreign Affairs Committee.
No 10 put ‘constant pressure’ on Foreign Office to get Mandelson in post
Starmer to face PMQs amid pressure over Mandelson vetting scandal
No 10 ‘secretly pushed Olly Robbins to give ambassador job to disgraced Starmer aide’
More important things than Mandelson outside Westminster bubble, Angela Rayner says
Key Points
- Starmer ex-aide summoned to be quizzed by MPs
- PM could face inquiry over Mandelson scandal
- First Labour MP calls for Starmer resignation
- PM appears to admit No 10 tried to get aide Matthew Doyle a job as ambassador
- Starmer sacked Olly Robbins before he could defend himself over Mandelson scandal, allies say
Starmer could face sleaze inquiry, The Independent understands
05:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe prime minister could face a parliamentary inquiry over the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal, it has been reported.
The Independent understands Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is urging the Speaker of the Commons to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the privileges committee over concerns he misled MPs over the vetting process.
Any move would be subject to a vote by all MPs.
Why did Lord Mandelson fail his vetting for US ambassador role?
04:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe controversy over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador continues unabated as the prime minister faces attacks from all sides of the political spectrum.
Evidence given by top Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins on Tuesday contradicted several of the claims made by Downing Street over the vetting process for the appointment, prompting fresh allegations that Sir Keir misled parliament over the issue.
The fallout comes after it was revealed last week that Peter Mandelson failed crucial security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador, but was given the role anyway after Foreign Office intervention.
But why did he fail his vetting? You can read the explainer below:
Why did Lord Mandelson fail his vetting for US ambassador role?
Comment: As his cabinet cracks, how does Keir Starmer carry on regardless?
03:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAt PMQs, Keir Starmer looked more assured than he has for some time – but there is something almost delusional in his upbeat demeanour, says John Rentoul.
As his cabinet cracks, how does Keir Starmer carry on regardless?
Watch: Starmer looks less like prime minister and more like lawyer desperately defending himself
02:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWho is Morgan McSweeney? Starmer’s former right-hand man set to face Mandelson scandal grilling
01:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has been summoned to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week amid the Lord Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.
Mr McSweeney, widely regarded as a protege of Lord Mandelson, was considered the driving force behind his appointment to the role of US ambassador.
His appearance follows that of former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins, who was sacked by the prime minister last week after claiming that he had not told the PM about the details of the vetting decision.
But who is the prime minister’s former chief of staff? You can read more below:
Who is Morgan McSweeney? Starmer’s right-hand man and Peter Mandelson ally
Why The Independent’s evidence from last September is a problem for Starmer
Thursday 23 April 2026 00:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs he set out his defence to the House of Commons this week, Sir Keir Starmer was asked multiple times by MPs about The Independent’s front page story on 12 September last year that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting.
More damaging still are the WhatsApp messages sent by this publication to the then director of communications in Downing Street, Tim Allan, raising the issue on 11 September.
This has been described by a number of civil servants and senior politicians as the “smoking gun” in the entire scandal, because it is at odds with the prime minister’s own assessment.
Sir Keir claimed that he, his ministers and Downing Street only found out about the security vetting failure last week. But doubt has been cast on this claim because The Independent informed Downing Street’s most senior communications official months before.
You can read all about The Independent’s reporting and why it is proving a headache to the prime minister below:
Why The Independent’s evidence from last September is a problem for Starmer
Labour MP refuses to back PM but says he will lead Labour into local elections
Wednesday 22 April 2026 23:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLabour MP Dan Carden has appeared on Newsnight tonight to speak about the day’s events regarding the Mandelson scandal.
He refused to be drawn on whether he had confidence in the prime minister, but said he would lead Labour into the local elections.
But he added there is “definitely a question about the future of the Labour party”.
It comes on a night another Labour MP voiced their concerns over Sir Keir’s leadership. Earlier today Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash told GB News he does not believe “anyone reasonably expects the prime minister to lead the party into the next election”.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir was asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch whether he stood by his previous statements to the Commons that due process had been followed in the appointment.
The Prime Minister replied that he did, adding: “Yesterday, Sir Olly Robbins was asked if he shared that decision with me, No 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer: no. That puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.”
Editorial: The buck stops on Keir Starmer’s desk for the mistake of appointing Mandelson
Wednesday 22 April 2026 23:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneOlly Robbins is justifiably aggrieved at being removed for doing what the prime minister put pressure on him to do – but in the end, this may well harm the sacker more than the sackee.
Read The Independent’s editorial below:
The buck stops on Keir Starmer’s desk for the mistake of appointing Mandelson
‘Pushing at an open door’: Inside the Green Party’s top target in London as Labour faces election wipeout
Wednesday 22 April 2026 22:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAthena Stavrou joins campaigners in Zack Polanski’s home borough of Hackney, where the Greens are confident they can make a dent in Labour’s domination of the capital.
Inside the Green Party’s top target in London as Labour faces election wipeout
Calls for PM's resignation not widespread, but more could be thinking it, former No 10 comms boss says
Wednesday 22 April 2026 21:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCalls for Sir Keir Starmer to resign are not widespread in the Labour party at the moment - but it is a “fair bet” several are thinking about it, a former No 10 communications boss has said.
It comes after Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash called for the prime minister to resign earlier.
Speaking on Sky News, James Lyons, a former Downing Street communications director for Sir Keir Starmer said: "I don't think he would necessarily represent the mainstream of the Parliamentary Labour Party, if I may put it like that.”
But he added: "It's usually a fair bet that if one of them is saying it, a few of them are thinking it."
Iran war drives UK inflation up to 3.3% in major blow for Reeves
Wednesday 22 April 2026 21:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUK inflation rose in March in a clear sign of the impact of the Iran-US war on the economy.
The latest figures, released on Wednesday, are the first from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to include elevated petrol and diesel costs since the start of the conflict. Prices have gone up as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.
The ONS figures showed consumer prices index (CPI) inflation rose 3.3 per cent in the year to March, up from 3 per cent in February.
The increase marks a blow for chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has made cutting the cost of living her number one priority. Research by the Resolution Foundation has found that the average household will be £480 worse off this year due to increased energy costs.
In response, Ms Reeves said the Iran crisis was “not our war, but it is pushing up bills for families and businesses”.
You can read more below:
Iran war drives UK inflation up to 3.3% in major blow for Reeves
PM could face inquiry over Mandelson scandal, reports say
Wednesday 22 April 2026 21:13 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer could face a parliamentary inquiry after claims he misled MPs over the Mandelson scandal, The Independent understands.
Opposition parties are asking the Speaker of the Commons to refer the prime minister to an inquiry.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is pressing for his referral to the Privileges Committee over concerns he misled parliament when he said that “due process” had been followed when appointing Mandelson.
The move has been backed by the Lib Dems and the SNP.
Watch in full: Starmer faces more backlash from MPs over Mandelson vetting scandal at PMQs
Wednesday 22 April 2026 21:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSir Keir Starmer faced a grilling in the House of Commons at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (22 April) amid the ongoing fallout over the vetting of Lord Peter Mandelson.
The prime minister is under intense pressure over his decision to fire Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins over the scandal, after it emerged he did not tell Sir Keir that Lord Mandelson was cleared to take up the top diplomatic post despite security vetting officials recommending against it.
You can watch his full PMQs appearance below:
Watch in full: Starmer faces more backlash over Mandelson vetting scandal at PMQs
MPs vote against social media ban for under-16s for third time
Wednesday 22 April 2026 20:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAway from the Mandelson scandal, MPs have voted against a ban for social media for under-16s once again.
The decision came as MPs voted 260 to 161 – a majority of 99 – against an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
This amendment sought to raise the minimum age for accessing social media platforms deemed harmful to 16 within a year.
The government is currently consulting on the policy.
Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that a comprehensive consultation was necessary before implementing any strategy to address harms linked to social media use.
You can read more below:
MPs vote against social media ban for under-16s for third time
Watch: Starmer says he sacked Robbins as he didn't accept his explanation for Mandelson vetting
Wednesday 22 April 2026 20:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneI’ve covered Labour for decades – ask me anything about what happens next for Starmer
Wednesday 22 April 2026 19:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWith Keir Starmer under pressure from the deepening Mandelson vetting scandal, chief political commentator John Rentoul is here to answer your questions and offer his insight from Westminster.
You can ask him anything below:
I’ve covered Labour for decades – ask me anything on Starmer’s latest crisis
Farage says Starmer will be 'gone before the end of May' as he predicts Labour decimation in local elections
Wednesday 22 April 2026 19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneReform UK leader Nigel Farage has said Sir Keir Starmer’s credibility is “shot to pieces” and he will be “gone by the end of May” following the controversy over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Asked by a reporter if he believed Sir Keir staying in office would help Reform UK, Mr Farage said: “Starmer’s absolutely fatal electoral flaw is that nobody takes him as sincere.
“So, cynically, it might suit us if he stays till the next election.
“Realistically, if I’m even half right about the predictions I’ve made from this lectern today, they will get rid of him.
“He will be gone before the end of May.”
He added: “I think his credibility is shot to pieces.”
Conservatives accuse Starmer of trying to avoid PMQs by proroguing parliament early
Wednesday 22 April 2026 18:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneConservative MPs have called out what they suggested is a deliberate attempt by the prime minister to avoid PMQs next week by proroguing parliament early.
Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly said he wants the last sitting day of this parliamentary session to fall on Tuesday, meaning MPs would then not return to parliament until Wednesday 13 May.
It would mean the prime minister would avoid next week’s PMQs, and not face MPs again in the Commons until May.
In a post on X, Richard Holden, shadow transport secretary, wrote: “This is a complete & utter disgrace from a Prime Minister running and hiding from @Conservatives leader @KemiBadenoch
“It means Parliament finishes business on Tuesday, with the formal closing ceremony on Wednesday. So no #PMQs
“Starmer's a coward as well as a liar”.
This is a complete & utter disgrace from a Prime Minister running and hiding from @Conservatives leader @KemiBadenoch
— Richard Holden MP (@RicHolden) April 22, 2026
It means Parliament finishes business on Tuesday, with the formal closing ceremony on Wednesday. So no #PMQs
Starmer's a coward as well as a liar https://t.co/RsrhnUus5m
Starmer sacked Olly Robbins before he could defend himself over Mandelson scandal, allies say
Wednesday 22 April 2026 18:22 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAllies of Sir Olly Robbins have claimed he was sacked by the prime minister without even being asked to explain his handling of the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.
Sir Keir Starmer dismissed the former Foreign Office chief last week for failing to tell him that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting for the US ambassador role.
Asked on Monday in the Commons whether he had sought an explanation from Sir Olly by veteran Tory MP Sir Julian Lewis, Sir Keir told the Commons: “I did ask him, and I did not accept his explanation. That is why I sacked him.”
But friends of the former permanent secretary have hit back, telling The Independent “no question was asked”.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox has this exclusive:
Starmer sacked Olly Robbins before he could defend himself, allies say
Former Labour general secretary defects to Greens
Wednesday 22 April 2026 18:11 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFormer Labour general secretary Jennie Formby has defected to Greens.
Ms Formby, an ally of Jeremy Corbyn who managed the Labour party from 2018 to 2020, told The Guardian she has signed up as a Green member.
She quit her post as general secretary after Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader.
Ms Formby told the newspaper: “Zack and the Greens are not scared to talk about economic justice and tax increases. I am increasingly concerned by seeing the extent to which Labour is in hock to corporate sponsors.
“The Greens also have some important policies on workers’ rights, which is important to me – all these things made me want to join the Green party and I want to do everything I can to support them.”
Badenoch accuses PM of misleading MPs over Robbins' evidence
Wednesday 22 April 2026 18:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneConservative party leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the prime minister of giving a misleading account to MPs of Sir Olly Robbins’ evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
In a post on X she wrote: “Today at PMQs, Keir Starmer selectively quoted Olly Robbins’ evidence at the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
“Starmer said on Mandelson’s vetting: ‘no pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case’. But Robbins’ own written evidence to the Committee talks of an ‘atmosphere of pressure’ from No10.
“On Monday, Robbins told the Committee: ‘Throughout January, honestly, my office and the Foreign Secretary’s office were under constant pressure. There was an atmosphere of constant chasing’.
“Starmer was therefore wrong to say that ‘no pressure existed whatsoever’. He must correct the record immediately.”
Today at PMQs, Keir Starmer selectively quoted Olly Robbins’ evidence at the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 22, 2026
Starmer said on Mandelson’s vetting: "no pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case".
But Robbins’ own written evidence to the Committee talks of an…
Cabinet ministers question Sir Olly Robbins' sacking, reports say
Wednesday 22 April 2026 17:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMinisters within Sir Keir Starmer’s own government are questioning the prime minister’s decision to sack Sir Olly Robbins over the Mandelson scandal, it has been reported.
Sources told The Guardian that several ministers spoke about the sacking during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The newspaper reported David Lammy warned against creating a “them and us” mentality between ministers and officials.
Home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is understood to have questioned Sir Keir’s decision and judgement during the meeting.
Farage accuses Starmer of 'riding roughshod over normal procedure' over Mandelson
Wednesday 22 April 2026 17:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNigel Farage has accused Sir Keir Starmer of “riding roughshod over normal procedure” in relation to the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Speaking at a Reform UK rally in Barnsley, he described the prime minister as a man who has previously “prided himself on being professional, on being thorough and good at everything he does”.
“The man of process has ridden roughshod over normal procedure,” he continued.
“The very thought that Mandelson was even chosen in the first place is quite extraordinary, but the fact that he was actually put into a very senior position and open to confidential documents.
“Bear in mind that we share with the Americans intelligence to the highest level, including nuclear capability.
“The thought that the prime minister wanted this guy to be there on Pennsylvania Avenue without any vetting process having been done is astonishing.”
Mr Farage continued: “My feeling is he will cling on.
“He’ll sack everybody around him, even if he’s the last man standing. He’ll never, ever take responsibility himself for anything that he’s done.”
Officials told Starmer to wait for vetting result before appointing Mandelson, new note suggests
Wednesday 22 April 2026 17:14 , Nicole Wootton-CaneOfficials told Sir Keir Starmer to wait for the outcome of Lord Peter Mandelson’s vetting before announcing his appointment to Washington, new reports suggest.
Politico reports that the prime minister was sent a note by his principal private secretary and his senior foreign policy official in November 2024 advising him to consider waiting until after Lord Mandelson had been given security clearances before announcing his appointment.
It is not clear whether Sir Keir ever read or responded to the note, as no response is recorded.
In response, No 10 said: “He covered this on Monday and again today when he spoke about Wormald reviewing.”
The PM was asked about a similar memo by former cabinet secretary Simon Case on Monday.He said he asked Case’s successor Chris Wormald to look into whether the correct processes had been followed in appointing Lord Mandelson.
Sir Keir told parliament on Wednesday: “I asked him to review the appointment process, including the vetting. He confirmed—his words—’appropriate processes were followed’.”
Labour on course for worst election result in London in nearly 50 years
Wednesday 22 April 2026 17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe Labour Party is on course for its worst result in London in more than four decades at the upcoming local elections, a damning new poll has shown.
The Greens and Reform are both set to eat into Labour’s London vote, putting Sir Keir Starmer’s party on course for significant losses in the capital.
An MRP poll of the 32 London boroughs, conducted by YouGov for Sky News and Politico, shows Labour is on course to win the highest vote share in 15 councils – six fewer than in 2022.
The last time Labour won fewer than 15 London councils was in 1982, 44 years ago, when they won just 12.
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke has this report:
Labour on course for worst election result in London in nearly 50 years
In pictures: Starmer and Badenoch in heated debate at PMQs
Wednesday 22 April 2026 16:45 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Watch: Emily Thornberry says Keir Starmer will 'keep his job' amid Peter Mandelson vetting row
Wednesday 22 April 2026 16:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePat McFadden insists Starmer is 'leading the country in the right direction'
Wednesday 22 April 2026 15:56 , Holly EvansCabinet minister Pat McFadden has said he believes Sir Keir Starmer is “leading the country in the right direction”.
Asked if the decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson has put the Labour’s plans for the next decade at risk, the work and pensions secretary replied: “Not at all.”
Mr McFadden told the Press Association: “There was a rationale for appointing Peter Mandelson about having a political appointment, having somebody with business and trade experience. It was quite widely welcomed at the time, which I think a lot of people have forgotten.
“But of course, since then, a lot more has emerged through the Epstein files and through other things. And the prime minister eventually had to ask Lord Mandelson to step down, so the appointment proved to be a mistake.
“Not every decision will be the right decision, but prime ministers take lots of decisions.
“And the really important thing is, after a period in power, have you led the country in the right direction or not? And I believe he is leading the country in the right direction.”
Starmer loyalist calls for Labour MPs to back PM
Wednesday 22 April 2026 15:47 , Holly EvansCabinet minister Pat McFadden urged Labour MPs to back Sir Keir Starmer amid signs of weakening support in Parliament.
It comes after one Labour MP, Polly Billington, declined to say that she trusts Sir Keir’s judgment and another, Jonathan Brash, said nobody expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next general election.
Mr McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, told the Press Association: “I think that MPs should support the Prime Minister.
“He’s been in office less than two years. He led the Labour Party to a very big election victory just under two years ago, and I think we’ve had far too many changes to Prime Minister in the UK in the last decade. It hasn’t done the country much good.”
He agreed with Sir Keir that evidence from Sir Olly Robbins, sacked last week from his position as the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, has “put to bed” any claims that he misled Parliament over Lord Peter Mandelson’s vetting.
“That central allegation of not telling the truth has been put to bed now and I think we should get behind the Prime Minister and let him get on with the job of delivering for the country,” Mr McFadden said.
Why did Lord Mandelson fail his vetting for US ambassador role?
Wednesday 22 April 2026 15:28 , Holly EvansThe controversy over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador continues unabated as the prime minister faces attacks from all sides of the political spectrum.
Evidence given by top Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins on Tuesday contradicted several of the claims made by Downing Street over the vetting process for the appointment, prompting fresh allegations that Sir Keir misled parliament over the issue.
The fallout comes after it was revealed last week that Peter Mandelson failed crucial security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador, but was given the role anyway after Foreign Office intervention.
Read the full article here:
Why did Lord Mandelson fail his vetting for US ambassador role?
Labour MP questions Sir Olly Robbins' sacking
Wednesday 22 April 2026 15:12 , Holly EvansAnother Labour MP has questioned the reasons behind Sir Olly Robbins’ dismissal after his evidence at Tuesday’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
Dan Carden, for Liverpool Walton, wrote on X: “It appears the Government’s position is that Olly Robbins was dismissed for not telling the Prime Minister about a document with ‘red flags’ saying Mandelson shouldn’t receive clearance.
“Olly told us yesterday that he has ‘never seen’ such a UKSV document.
“So has Sir Olly been fired for not telling the Prime Minister about the contents of a document he had never seen?”
It appears the Government’s position is that Olly Robbins was dismissed for not telling the Prime Minister about a document with ‘red flags’ saying Mandelson shouldn’t receive clearance. Olly told us yesterday that he has ‘never seen’ such a UKSV document. So has Sir Olly been…
— Dan Carden (@DanCardenMP) April 22, 2026
Davey: Govt must launch inquiry into No 10's lobbying for diplomatic job for Matthew Doyle
Wednesday 22 April 2026 14:53 , Holly EvansResponding to claims No10 lobbied the Foreign Office to find a high profile diplomatic role for Matthew Doyle, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:*“For No 10 to ask the Foreign Office to find a plum diplomatic job for another Labour crony who was friends with a convicted sex offender – and to instruct that to be kept secret from the Foreign Secretary – is completely shocking.
“On top of his catastrophic lack of judgement, Keir Starmer’s failure to answer simple questions about his own role just isn’t good enough. The public deserves the truth, so we can move on from this scandal and make sure nothing like it can ever happen again.
“The government needs to launch an inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary to find out who was doing this lobbying, why, and whether the Prime Minister knew about it or not.”
Another Labour MP fails to back Starmer's judgement
Wednesday 22 April 2026 14:35 , Holly EvansThe vice chairwoman of the parliamentary Labour Party has refused to say that she trusts Sir Keir Starmer’s judgment.
Speaking on the BBC’s World At One, MP for East Thanet Polly Billington was repeatedly pressed on the issue but declined to address it directly.
When asked whether Sir Keir is up to the job and whether he has the judgment required, Ms Billington said: “What I am focused on is that we are clear we have a mandate from the British people in order to be able to deliver the change they wanted.”
Asked again on the issue of trust, she said: “If we have the cultural change we are talking about, then we will be able to deliver for the British people right from the top.”
When it was suggested again that she was saying the she does not trust the Prime Minister, she added: “What I am saying is the Prime Minister needs to be exercising his judgment and ensuring that we do … that when processes are abided by we understand why, but ensure that we are really clear that our values are expressed in decisions that we make.”
She added: “Prime ministers do make mistakes because prime ministers are human.
“All of us are fallible. I do not think that one mistake like this should be enough.
“But I do also think that we need to be saying, ‘right, what do we do next to avoid these things happening again?'”
Watch: Starmer looks like a lawyer desperately defending himself
Wednesday 22 April 2026 14:30 , Jane DaltonAnalysis by The Independent’s political editor David Maddox and Whitehall editor Kate Devlin:
Tories call for Sir Olly Robbins to be reinstated
Wednesday 22 April 2026 14:20 , Holly EvansThe Tories have said Sir Olly Robbins should be given his job back.
A spokesman for Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “What you can see is a culture with this Prime Minister, where everyone has to carry the can for his failings, whether it’s Chris Wormald, whether it’s Morgan McSweeney, whether it’s Olly Robbins.”
Mrs Badenoch is “very concerned about what this is going to do to the future operation of government”, the spokesman said.
Mandelson protégé McSweeney set to answer to MPs on Tuesday
Wednesday 22 April 2026 14:12 , Jane DaltonSir Keir Starmer's former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has been summoned to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee of MPs next Tuesday amid the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.
Mr McSweeney, widely regarded as a protégé of Lord Mandelson, resigned in February over his part in the peer's appointment to the Washington DC posting.
The political strategist will appear at the influential parliamentary committee next Tuesday, following an expected showing this week by Cat Little, the most senior Cabinet Office civil servant, the Press Association understands.
No 10 refuses to say whether PM apologised to Lammy over Doyle job secret talks
Wednesday 22 April 2026 13:59 , Jane DaltonDowning Street has refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer apologised to David Lammy over claims that the former top civil servant at the Foreign Office was asked to hide talks about handing Matthew Doyle an ambassadorship.
No 10 also declined to say whether it would be appropriate to have handed Lord Doyle the post while senior diplomats were at risk of losing their jobs.
“I guess the point is nothing came of it,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said when asked about alleged No 10 talks about making the former spin doctor an ambassador.
Asked whether Sir Keir apologised to Mr Lammy, the spokesperson said: "We would never get into private conversations."
And asked whether Sir Olly Robbins was right to have said he was asked to keep conversations secret from the then-foreign secretary, the spokesman said: “I can’t comment on private conversations. I’m not aware of the detail of any of those conversations.”
First Labour MP calls for Starmer resignation
Wednesday 22 April 2026 13:53 , Jane DaltonA Labour MP has said nobody “reasonably expects” Sir Keir Starmer to lead Labour into the next election.
Asked whether Sir Keir should resign, Jonathan Brash, Hartlepool MP, replied: “Yeah.”
He told GB News: “I am completely fed up to the back teeth of this psychodrama in Westminster, the own goals that are coming from the heart of this Government.
“Meanwhile, we have got fantastic Labour councillors, canvassers, activists up and down the country working hard and delivering for their constituencies like mine in Hartlepool, facing local elections in the shadow of this absolute mess.
“They just need to get a grip. I’m completely fed up about it and I think it’s got to the point now where I genuinely think, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, it’s not a case of if, it’s when, and I just think we need to get a handle on this.”
He added: “Ultimately, we are in a situation where I don’t think anyone reasonable expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election and I think we have to refocus this Government on the priorities of the British people.”
Starmer sure he has Cabinet backing to head into election, No 10 insists
Wednesday 22 April 2026 13:47 , Jane DaltonDowning Street says Sir Keir Starmer is confident he has the full backing of the Cabinet and it is wrong to suggest everyone expects him to quit before the next election.
Asked whether it was right, as Labour MP Jonathan Brash had said, that no one expected the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election, Sir Keir's press secretary said: "No."
Asked whether the Prime Minister was confident he had the full backing of Cabinet, his press secretary said: "Yes."
Asked whether Sir Keir was worried about a lack of support in the Parliamentary Labour Party, he said: "No."
The Government is focused on "delivering for working people" including on the cost of living and cutting NHS waiting lists, he added.
Analysis: Starmer looks less like a PM and more like a lawyer desperately trying to defend himself
Wednesday 22 April 2026 13:45 , Jane Dalton
Starmer looks less like a PM and more like a lawyer defending himself
Starmer ex-aide summoned to be quizzed by MPs
Wednesday 22 April 2026 13:31 , Jane DaltonSir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has been summoned to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee of MPs next Tuesday amid the Lord Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, the Press Association understands.
Badenoch accuses Starmer of national security risk over Mandelson
Wednesday 22 April 2026 13:30 , Jane DaltonThe appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson was a "national security risk", Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the Commons.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs Badenoch said: "I don't know what planet the Prime Minister is on, appointing someone with known links to the Kremlin is not full due process. If anybody had brought that sort of name to me when I was a secretary of state, I would have said 'no way'.
"The Prime Minister thought someone with Kremlin links was still probably OK, let's do some vetting. Why does this matter? He keeps leaning on Sir Olly Robbins - a man he sacked - he keeps leaning on him.
"Sir Olly Robbins said yesterday that Peter Mandelson was given access to highly classified briefings even before he'd received clearance. That was a clear national security risk. How can the Prime Minister still maintain that full due process was followed?"
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer replied: "As a member of the House of Lords and privy counsellor, and in accordance with guidance, documentation could have been provided to him and was provided to him. Strap material comes after developed vetting. But because he was a privy counsellor, he could have access to other material before developed vetting."
Strap material is a classification used to protect highly sensitive intelligence (above Top Secret) from accidental or deliberate leakage.
Starmer again dodges question on Matthew Doyle diplomatic role
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:59 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer dodged the question when asked whether he knew that Number 10 had suggested his former spin doctor Lord Matthew Doyle be considered for a diplomatic post.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “I’m sure many of us in this House were shocked by the new revelations from Olly Robbins yesterday, he said Number 10 told him to find a plum job for Matthew Doyle, another Labour crony, friends with a convicted sex offender.
“The prime minister was asked on Monday whether Number 10 had proposed any political appointment other than Mandelson. Perhaps the last few hours have jogged his memory.
“Will he confirm today: did he know his office was lobbying for a diplomatic job for Matthew Doyle, and were they doing it on his authority?”
Sir Keir reiterated that Lord Doyle had worked in public service for many years and “when people leave roles in any organisation, there are very often conversations about other roles they may want to apply for”.
Sir Ed said the House and public will note the PM “failed to answer my question”.
Tory leader says Mandelson appointment was a 'national security risk'
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:43 , Holly EvansThe appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson was a “national security risk”, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told the Commons.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs Badenoch said: “I don’t know what planet the Prime Minister is on, appointing someone with known links to the Kremlin is not full due process. If anybody had brought that sort of name to me when I was a secretary of state, I would have said ‘no way’.
“The Prime Minister thought someone with Kremlin links was still probably OK, let’s do some vetting. Why does this matter? He keeps leaning on Sir Olly Robbins – a man he sacked – he keeps leaning on him.
“Sir Olly Robbins said yesterday that Peter Mandelson was given access to highly classified briefings even before he’d received clearance. That was a clear national security risk.”
Watch: PM refuses to deny No 10 considered scandal-hit Doyle for ambassador role
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:41 , Holly EvansBadenoch takes aim at Mandelson appointment despite links to Russia and China
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:39 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch criticised the prime minister for appointing Lord Peter Mandelson despite his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, she said: “The due diligence document said Mandelson remained on the board of the Kremlin-linked defence company Systema, long after Putin’s first invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
“The Prime Minister told us on Monday that he’d read that due diligence report. Why did the Prime Minister want to make a man with links to the Kremlin our ambassador in Washington?”
She also pressed the Prime Minister on former cabinet secretary Lord Simon Case’s letter which appeared to advise Sir Keir Starmer that security clearances should be done before confirming Lord Mandelson as his choice for the role.
Sir Keir replied: “It was always the case there would be developed vetting in this case, that was the understood process, that was carried out, it was reviewed by Sir Chris Wormald, and he said it was the appropriate process.”
He added: “The problem was, as I said to the House, I was unaware that UKSV (UK Security Vetting) recommended against clearance. That is information that should have been brought to my attention. They recommended with red flags that there shouldn’t be clearance, and it was high concern, that information should have been available to me at the time and subsequently.”
Sir Keir Starmer ducks question over Jonathan Powell's security clearance
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:35 , Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer ducked the question when he was asked about the security clearance of another top official.
Speaking at PMQs, Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked: “Jonathan Powell was appointed as the PM's special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory on 6 September.
“But throughout August he held meetings with FCDO officials and was given access to classified information including meetings minutes between the prime minister and the then foreign secretary.”
He added: “My question is very simple: when was Jonathan Powell appointed as special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory, and what security clearance did he have upon that appointment?”
Sir Keir Starmer replied: “Jonathan Powell is doing an excellent job for this fovernemnt, he is respected across the world and is playing a significant part in dealing with the huge challenges that we face.”
Starmer doubles down on resignation calls from Badenoch
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:29 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has said “nothing is going to distract me from delivering for our country”, after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for him to go.
At PMQs, Mrs Badenoch said: “The head of the Foreign Office was sacked for the prime minister’s own failings. His backbenchers know that is not fair. Even his most loyal Cabinet members won’t defend it. The prime minister did not follow the process the Cabinet Secretary set out in November 2024. He knows he did not follow due process, yet he told the House he had.
“I cannot accuse the prime minister of deliberately misleading the House, but everyone can see what has happened here, this was not due process. Everyone knows the price of misleading the House, will the prime minister finally take responsibility and go?”
Sir Keir said “anyone in my position would have lost confidence” in the former permanent-secretary Sir Olly Robbins, adding: “The leader of the Opposition claimed on Friday that Mandelson could not have been cleared against security advice, she was wrong about that.
“She said that ministers must have been told, she was wrong about that. She claimed there was deliberate dishonesty, she was wrong about that. Wrong, wrong, wrong – she rushed to judgment, as she always did, just like the Iran war.
“I was elected by the British people because they let the country down for 14 long years. Whatever she says, whatever noise they make, nothing is going to distract me from delivering for our country.”
PMQs analysis: Starmer reverts to legalese to defend himself
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:24 , Holly EvansAnalysis from our political editor David Maddox:
Keir Starmer has cherry picked the parts of Sir Olly Robbins evidence which support his case in the way only a professional lawyer can do.
But it is hard to get around the revelations by the now sacked chief Foreign Office mandarin that expose how Downing Street was putting pressure on to push through the Peter Mandelson appointment as ambassador to the US quickly.
While Kemi Badenoch saved her fireworks for the last of six questions she doggedly pursued the PM with precise questions.
Calling for him to go got the loudest cheer but also managed to bring the sullen Labour backbenchers back to life to remember to cheer their beleaguered leader.
While Sir Keir has got through another confrontation and survived without a killer blow he continues to look seriously wounded politically.
'No pressure whatsoever' in appointing Mandelson, PM says
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:21 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has said that were was “no pressure” on the Foreign Office to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson.
When confronted with Sir Olly Robbins claims that No 10 had shown a “dismissive attitude” to vetting process, the prime minister said: "No pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case.
"What is unacceptable is that the recommendation of UKSV was not given to me before Mandelson took up his post."
Starmer claims Mandelson would not have been appointed had vetting decision been shared
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:16 , Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer has claimed that Peter Mandelson would not have been appointed as US ambassador had Olly Robbins told him that Foreign Office officials granted him security clearance against the recommendation of UK security vetting.
In an attempt to deflect from Kemi Badenoch's scrutiny at PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer claimed that Sir Olly's testimony at the Foreign Affairs select committee "puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me".
He told the Commons: "The appointment itself was a mistake. It was my mistake. I have apologised to the victims and I do so again.
"What I set out on Monday was that Foreign Office officials granted security clearance to Mandelson against the recommendation of UK security vetting. Yesterday, Sir Olly Robbins was asked if he shared that decision with me, No 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer: no.
"That puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.
"Last week they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday. It was not. I believe not sharing it was a serious error of judgement. If it had of been, Mandelson would not have been committed to post."
Starmer says he stands by his September statement on Mandelson
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:11 , Holly EvansThe prime minister said that he continues to stand by his statement on Lord Mandelson’s dismissal in September, in which he said that full due process had taken place.
Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said: “Does the Prime Minister stand by his statement at the Despatch Box on Sep 10 last year that full due process was followed in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as our ambassador to Washington?
Sir Keir responded: “Yes, I do. Let me make clear at the outset the appointment itself was a mistake, it was my mistake. I’ve apologised to the victims for it and I do so again.
“What I set out to the House on Monday is that Foreign Office officials granted security clearance to Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting.”
He said that not sharing this information with him was a “serious error of judgement” and “puts to bed” accusations of dishonesty on his behalf.
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Keir Starmer appears to admit No 10 tried to get aide Matthew Doyle a job as ambassador
Wednesday 22 April 2026 12:07 , Kate DevlinThe prime minister was asked about claims from Sir Olly Robbins that No 10 secretly tried to get his aide Matthew Doyle a job as ambassador.
Sir Keir told MPs that when people leave jobs “there are often conversations about other roles”.
Lord Doyle, Sir Keir’s former communications chief, was elevated to the House of Lords in January but stripped of the Labour whip just weeks later over his links with a convicted paedophile.
But Sir Olly told members of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday that before Lord Doyle was made a peer there was pressure from No 10 to find him an ambassadorship.
In response, the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said Mr Doyle would not have been an “appropriate” choice for such a role and she was “extremely concerned” at Sir Olly’s evidence that he had been instructed not to tell her predecessor, David Lammy, about the discussions.
