Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Condemns Labour Briefings 'Dripping with Misogyny'
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has launched a scathing attack on what she describes as Labour briefings "dripping with misogyny", urging party colleagues to stamp out anonymous targeting of women. Her comments come after Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks with female Labour parliamentarians earlier on Wednesday, following a series of scandals that critics claim have exposed a "boys' club" culture within Downing Street.
Call to End Anonymous Briefings
Speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday evening, Ms Nandy rejected suggestions that Sir Keir had failed to sufficiently grasp the problem, pointing to his record handling cases of violence against women and girls during his tenure as director of public prosecutions. However, she emphasised that a culture of anonymous briefings, including those originating from within the Prime Minister's office, must be stopped.
"I think politics does often operate as a boys' club and I don't think that the Labour Party is immune to that," Ms Nandy told Times Radio. She expressed pride in Labour's work, such as introducing all-women shortlists, but acknowledged there remains "a lot of work to do".
"I've experienced it, but all women in the Labour Party have experienced it," she stated. "This culture of allowing anonymous briefings to continue, whether they come from inside the Prime Minister's office, or our offices or anywhere else, we've all got a responsibility to stamp that out."
Ms Nandy highlighted that the individuals facing the most briefings have predominantly been women targeted anonymously by men. "Some of the briefings have absolutely been dripping with misogyny," she explained. "You hear these things about how we're lazy, we spend too much time with our kids, we don't spend enough time with all kids – you really can't win. In the end it's designed to try to keep us down and to try and stop us from being heard."
Harman's Proposal for Deputy Role
During the meeting with female Labour parliamentarians, former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman suggested that Sir Keir revive the post of first secretary of state – previously held by Lord Peter Mandelson – which functions as a de facto deputy prime minister. She proposed that the appointee be tasked with tackling misogyny and the marginalisation of women within the party.
Earlier, the Prime Minister apologised for appointing Lord Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the US last year, and indicated he would consider Baroness Harman's suggestion. Sources present at the meeting offered mixed reactions; one described Sir Keir's appearance as "very positive" with the Prime Minister in "listening mode", while another noted the applause was for the women in the room and characterised the atmosphere as "flat".
Fallout from Peerage Controversies
The Prime Minister faces renewed scrutiny over his judgment following the appointment of Lord Matthew Doyle, his former communications chief, to the House of Lords. Lord Doyle has had the Labour whip removed and apologised for campaigning for paedophile councillor Sean Morton in 2017, after Morton had been charged with possessing indecent images of children. The peer claimed he believed Morton's assertions of innocence before the councillor admitted the offences, and stated he had "extremely limited" contact with Morton after conviction.
Sir Keir has acknowledged that the ex-aide "did not give a full account" of his association with Morton when granted a seat in Parliament's unelected second chamber. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Prime Minister of "stuffing Government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists", alleging during Prime Minister's Questions that he pretends to care about violence against women to "save his own skin".
Mrs Badenoch pointed out that the Sunday Times reported on Lord Doyle's post-charge association with Morton in late December, after his peerage was announced, yet he still took his seat in the upper chamber in January. "Despite the Prime Minister knowing this, he gave Doyle a job for life in the House of Lords anyway," the Conservative leader asserted. Downing Street has maintained there is no precedent for halting a peerage after announcement.
Internal Party Dynamics and Support
Several senior Labour figures, including Ms Nandy, deputy leader Lucy Powell, and party chairwoman Anna Turley, have stated that the former aide should not remain in the Lords. Downing Street has rejected suggestions that it operates as a "boys' club", with the Prime Minister's spokesman denying any failure to fulfil promises to end sleaze.
Sir Keir has insisted his top team remains "strong and united" after Cabinet ministers publicly rallied around him following Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's call for his resignation. The Prime Minister expressed "100%" support for Mr Sarwar, who voiced concerns that "distraction" from Downing Street could harm Labour's chances in May's Holyrood elections.
In Wales, Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan affirmed Sir Keir has her "full confidence", while Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – seen as a potential leadership challenger – declared support but noted he had spoken to Sir Keir about the party needing a "strong sense of a stronger team again".
Restructuring Downing Street Operations
Sir Keir is expected to continue efforts to overhaul his No 10 operation, with rumours suggesting the country's top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald may depart in coming days. The Prime Minister's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications chief Tim Allan have already left as he seeks to revive his fortunes after a challenging start to 2026.
