Labour Chairwoman Demands Removal of Lord Doyle's Peerage Over Paedophile Association
Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley has publicly called for Lord Matthew Doyle, Sir Keir Starmer's former communications chief, to be stripped of his peerage due to his connections with a convicted paedophile councillor. Turley has suggested that Lord Doyle did not provide truthful information prior to his elevation to the House of Lords, sparking a significant political controversy.
Details of the Controversial Association
Lord Doyle has apologised after having the Labour whip removed over his links to Sean Morton, a former councillor. Doyle campaigned for Morton in 2017, even after Morton had been charged with possessing indecent images of children. Morton later admitted to the offences, but Doyle stated he believed Morton's assertions of innocence at the time. It is understood that Number 10 was unaware of Doyle's campaigning activities for Morton at the moment of his appointment to the Lords.
Anna Turley's Strong Stance on the Matter
In an interview with Sky News, Labour chairwoman Anna Turley expressed her firm view that Lord Doyle should not retain his peerage. She remarked, "What we'd been told was not the truth when that decision was made", referring to Doyle's appointment. Turley elaborated, "No, I don't think he should. That's my personal view. And just like with Peter Mandelson ... we're going to be making it easier for people who have particularly undertaken criminal offences to be removed from the Lords. We don't have that power at the moment. He's not committed a criminal offence, but you know ... I just think people who have got this kind of record or have not been clear and transparent, there's no place for them in the Lords."
Lord Doyle's Apology and Explanation
Lord Doyle issued a statement apologising "unreservedly" for supporting Moray councillor Sean Morton before the judicial conclusion of his case. He acknowledged that ceasing support earlier would have been the correct course of action, calling it a "clear error of judgment". Doyle emphasised that his contact with Morton after the conviction was "extremely limited" and that he has not seen or spoken to him in years. He stated, "Morton's crimes were vile and my only concerns are for his victims."
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
The Scottish National Party had previously objected to Lord Doyle's peerage, and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to release all vetting advice and due diligence reports related to the appointment. Badenoch commented, "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."
Labour has confirmed that the whip has been withdrawn from Lord Doyle while an investigation is conducted. A Labour spokesman noted, "All complaints are assessed thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures." Lord Doyle took his place in the upper chamber in January, following Morton's conviction in November 2017 for possessing indecent images of children.
