Minister Insists Downing Street Unaware of Lord Doyle's Paedophile Links Before Peerage
Downing Street was not aware that Sir Keir Starmer's former communications chief had campaigned for a paedophile councillor when his peerage was announced, a government minister has confirmed. Lord Matthew Doyle has apologised and had the Labour whip removed over his connections to Sean Morton, a former councillor who was charged with possessing indecent images of children.
Fresh Questions Over Prime Minister's Judgment
Lord Doyle's elevation to the House of Lords has raised significant questions about the Prime Minister's judgment, with claims that his former aide's friendship with Morton was public knowledge when the appointment was confirmed. Education minister Georgia Gould stated on Wednesday that "No 10 did not know before they made the decision to give him the peerage."
Challenged over reports that The Sunday Times had detailed Lord Doyle's association with Morton in late December, Ms Gould told Sky News: "I think the decision, the announcement was made on December 10. I think the story was later in the month. But I think the Prime Minister has looked at this afresh, given the commitment that he has made to ensure the highest standards in public life."
Suspension and Calls for Transparency
Lord Doyle took his seat in the unelected chamber last month but was suspended from Labour's parliamentary party on Tuesday. A Government source rejected suggestions that his swearing-in could have been stopped following the revelations, stating: "There is no established precedent for withdrawing a peerage nomination after the announcement stage."
Ms Gould did not echo calls by Labour's chairwoman Anna Turley to strip Lord Doyle of his peerage but emphasised that vetting processes must be improved. She said: "There's an investigation going on. We'll wait for that to conclude. But the Prime Minister said on Monday night that we want to ensure the highest standards in public life. He's gone back and looked at this appointment. He's taken action to withdraw the whip."
Lord Doyle's Apology and Background
In his apology, Lord Doyle stated that he believed Moray councillor Morton's assertions of innocence at the time he campaigned for him in 2017, after Morton had been charged. The councillor later admitted to having the images. Lord Doyle apologised "unreservedly" for supporting Morton before the case had concluded and said he had "extremely limited" contact with him after his conviction.
Labour had suspended Morton after he appeared in court in late 2016. Lord Doyle campaigned for Morton when he ran as an Independent in May 2017. Labour chair Ms Turley asserted that Lord Doyle had not been truthful before being sent to the Lords, telling Sky News on Tuesday that "I don't think he should" remain a Lord.
Political Reactions and Demands for Action
The Scottish National Party had objected to Lord Doyle's peerage, and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called on Sir Keir to publish "vetting advice and due diligence" reports provided before his appointment. Asked whether vetting documents should be published, schools minister Ms Gould pointed to Labour's ongoing probe and said "we'll have more to say when that's completed."
Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch said: "Keir Starmer handed a peerage to Matthew Doyle despite knowing about his ongoing friendship with a man charged with child sex crimes. The Prime Minister has now suspended the whip, but he must come clean about what he was told before making this appointment. We won't let this go."
When questioned about whether the Government was taking child abuse seriously enough, Ms Gould responded: "We're taking it incredibly seriously. And Keir Starmer is somebody who has spent his whole career putting people into prison, and this is his lifelong work. It is deeply important to him. And no-one is harder on themselves than the Prime Minister. But he's clear that things need to change. Vetting has to be better."
