Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face a Commons vote as early as next week that could spark an inquiry into his handling of the Mandelson vetting saga, The Independent has been told.
Speaker to Give MPs a Say
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle looks set to give MPs a say on whether the prime minister is referred to the powerful Commons Privileges Committee for a probe into whether he misled parliament over the disgraced peer's appointment as US ambassador. It comes after MPs from both sides of the House, including Labour, are understood to have written to the Speaker requesting that the powerful committee, which deals with serious disciplinary issues in parliament, investigate the PM.
Sir Lindsay is widely expected to make a statement on the letters on Monday, meaning Sir Keir could face a vote in the Commons on Tuesday – the same day his former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, will be grilled by MPs on his role in Lord Mandelson's appointment.
Claims of Cover-Up
The prime minister has repeatedly told MPs that he and his ministers only found out that UK Security Vetting had advised Lord Mandelson should be denied clearance for the role last Tuesday evening, despite The Independent raising concerns he had failed vetting last September and running a front page story on it – prompting claims of a cover-up.
A number of MPs and former parliamentarians have referred to the precedent set during the Partygate investigation into Boris Johnson, when the Tories failed to use their majority to oppose the inquiry, and their MPs on the committee “put party second” in finding him guilty.
Labour MPs Face Dilemma
The issue, according to one former cabinet minister, is “a serious challenge to Labour MPs” not to be whipped into blocking an investigation. A very senior Labour figure warned that the issues with Sir Keir “are more nuanced than with Boris and not as straightforward”, but admitted Labour MPs may back the probe “if they see it as the only way to remove Keir Starmer as prime minister.” They noted that if Sir Keir were to “correct the record at a later stage, then that would be an end to the matter.”
The Privileges Committee had tried to give Mr Johnson the same opportunity but eventually ruled that he lied about the scandal of lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street, which ultimately led to his resignation as prime minister.
Cross-Party Support for Inquiry
MPs have been reluctant to speak about discussions with the Speaker publicly, but MPs from Labour, the Tories, SNP and Lib Dems have all approached him, calling for action. One senior MP told The Independent: “A great deal of letters have gone to the Speaker. We are expecting a statement on Monday and that would mean a vote in parliament on Tuesday.” Asked if the prime minister could stop the process by proroguing parliament ahead of the local elections on Tuesday evening, the MP added: “Parliament cannot be prorogued until its business is completed, so this will have to be dealt with before that happens.”
One told The Independent they had written to the Speaker because “these issues need investigating”. Karl Turner, an independent MP suspended by Labour for rebelling over jury trial reforms, has already revealed that he has written to Sir Lindsay and claimed other Labour MPs have told him they have done the same. He said: “Some of the things [Starmer] said were inconsistent with the evidence given by Olly Robbins.”
Robbins Evidence Contradicts Starmer
Sir Olly, the former chief of the Foreign Office, was sacked by Sir Keir last week after the prime minister claimed he failed to tell him the UK Security Vetting had advised Lord Mandelson posed a security risk. But the ex-mandarin hit back, saying No 10 had taken a “dismissive” approach to vetting and wanted Lord Mandelson in Washington “as soon as humanly possible”. The row has led to questions over the process of the appointment and claims by Sir Keir that “due process was followed”, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch suggesting the PM has misled parliament and failed to correct the record.
Referring to a possible vote next week, one senior Tory said: “The only issue with Starmer is whether it is considered the threshold has been reached to hold an inquiry. It is a high threshold and essentially is when misleading parliament prevents parliament from being able to operate.” However, former Commons leader Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he would be surprised if Sir Keir agrees to the inquiry, given what happened to Mr Johnson. He said: “I am sure Labour would whip against it. Allowing the privileges committee to go ahead was a terrible mistake.”
Sir Keir has told MPs that he believes that the “matter has been put to bed” following the evidence of Sir Olly, which he insisted supported his claims. The Speaker’s office has declined to comment.
