A former Labour MP has joined opposition parties in urging that Keir Starmer be referred to the Commons privileges committee to investigate whether the prime minister misled Parliament, as the controversy over Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington continues.
Karl Turner's Intervention
Karl Turner, who lost the Labour whip last month after criticizing Starmer and No 10, wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons requesting a referral to the privileges committee. The same committee previously found Boris Johnson had lied to Parliament over the lockdown parties scandal. In a letter posted on X (later deleted), Turner stated he was raising a matter of serious concern regarding Starmer's conduct during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. He argued that the prime minister's characterization of evidence was, at best, inaccurate and, at worst, misleading to the House.
Turner, now an independent MP, clarified that he was not accusing Starmer of deliberately misleading the House but noted evident inconsistencies between statements made during PMQs and evidence given by Oliver Robbins. He later apologized for posting the letter publicly, stating it was an administrative error. MPs are required to raise allegations of contempt privately with the Speaker.
Background to the Crisis
During PMQs, Starmer claimed no pressure had been put on the Foreign Office to approve Mandelson's vetting, citing Olly Robbins, the former Foreign Office permanent secretary. However, Robbins, who was sacked by Starmer after the Guardian disclosed he had overturned a recommendation to deny security clearance for Mandelson, told MPs on Tuesday that constant pressure was applied.
The crisis has exposed divisions within the cabinet over Starmer's decision to sack Robbins, with some Labour figures believing the prime minister acted too hastily.
Opposition Demands
The Conservatives, supported by the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, have been pushing for the privileges committee to intervene. They are considering a motion similar to the one used against Johnson, allowing all MPs to vote on whether the committee should investigate if Starmer was in contempt of Parliament.
Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride stated that the privileges committee should examine whether Starmer misled Parliament, as Robbins' testimony directly contradicts the prime minister's assurances. Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart repeated the claim during Cabinet Office questions, asserting that Starmer misquoted Robbins' evidence.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called for transparency, saying the public deserves the truth about what Starmer knew and when.
Government Response
The prime minister's spokesperson denied that Starmer had misled the House, stating he was being specific about the allegation of pressure regarding the role regardless of the vetting outcome. They insisted that was not the case.
