Sir Keir Starmer could face a Parliamentary sleaze inquiry into claims he lied to MPs over the Peter Mandelson scandal. The Commons will vote on Tuesday whether to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee to consider if he misled the House over the way Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US was handled.
Speaker Allows Vote
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle allowed a vote on the issue following requests from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and other senior MPs. Cabinet minister Emma Reynolds accused the Tories of playing "silly political games" over the issue. But the Speaker's decision now gives the Labour leadership a headache in deciding whether to order Sir Keir's MPs to publicly oppose a referral to the committee.
Background of the Privileges Committee
The committee was responsible for Boris Johnson's exit from frontline politics after it investigated him for misleading the House over the "partygate" breaches of Covid-19 laws in Downing Street. He quit as an MP in 2023 before the committee published a report recommending his suspension.
The vote on Tuesday will determine whether the Prime Minister faces a similar investigation, which could have serious political consequences. If referred, the committee will examine whether Starmer deliberately misled Parliament regarding the appointment process of Lord Mandelson, a former EU trade commissioner and Labour peer.
The controversy has reignited debates about transparency and accountability in government, with opposition parties calling for a thorough inquiry. Meanwhile, Labour insiders have expressed confidence that the Prime Minister will be cleared of any wrongdoing, arguing that the allegations are politically motivated.
