Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Condemns Labour Briefings 'Dripping with Misogyny'
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has launched a scathing attack on Labour briefings she describes as "dripping with misogyny," urging an end to anonymous targeting of women within the party. Her comments come after Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks with female Labour parliamentarians on Wednesday, following a series of scandals critics say expose a "boys' club" culture in Downing Street.
Call for Female Deputy to Tackle Misogyny
During the meeting, former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman suggested Starmer revive the post of first secretary of state—previously held by Lord Peter Mandelson—and appoint a woman to this de facto deputy prime minister role, tasking her with addressing misogyny and women's marginalisation. Nandy, speaking to broadcasters, rejected suggestions that Starmer bears ultimate responsibility for the culture, pointing to his record handling violence against women cases as director of public prosecutions.
"I think politics does often operate as a boys' club and I don't think that the Labour Party is immune to that," Nandy told Times Radio. She expressed pride in Labour's work, including all-women shortlists, but acknowledged "a lot of work to do."
Anonymous Briefings and Misogynistic Tropes
Nandy detailed her experiences, stating that all women in Labour have faced similar issues. "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," she asserted. She noted that the most targeted individuals in briefings are largely women, with men often the anonymous sources.
"Some of the briefings have absolutely been dripping with misogyny," Nandy explained. "You hear these things about, you know, 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."
Prime Minister's Response and Peerage Controversies
Earlier, Starmer apologised for appointing Lord Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the US last year and said he would consider Harman's suggestion. Sources described his appearance at the women's Parliamentary Labour Party meeting as "very positive," with Starmer in "listening mode," though others noted a "flat" atmosphere with applause directed at the women present.
The Prime Minister faces renewed scrutiny over his judgment regarding peerage appointments. Lord Matthew Doyle had the Labour whip removed and apologised for campaigning for paedophile councillor Sean Morton in 2017 after Morton was charged with indecent images of children. Doyle claimed he believed Morton's assertions of innocence before the admission and had "extremely limited" contact post-conviction. Starmer stated Doyle "did not give a full account" of his association when granted a peerage.
Opposition Criticism and Internal Support
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of "stuffing Government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists" and claimed he pretends to care about violence against women to "save his own skin." She highlighted the Doyle peerage, noting reports emerged after its announcement, yet Doyle still took his seat. No 10 insisted there is no precedent for halting a peerage post-announcement.
Several senior Labour figures, including Nandy, deputy leader Lucy Powell, and party chairwoman Anna Turley, argue Doyle should not remain in the Lords. Downing Street rejected "boys' club" allegations, with Starmer's spokesman denying failure to end sleaze.
Leadership Challenges and Shake-Up Plans
Starmer has asserted his top team is "strong and united" after Cabinet ministers publicly supported him following Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's call for his resignation. Starmer expressed "100%" support for Sarwar, who worries Downing Street "distractions" could harm Labour's Holyrood election chances. In Wales, First Minister Eluned Morgan offered "full confidence," while Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham backed Starmer but urged a "strong sense of a stronger team again."
Starmer is expected to continue overhauling his No 10 operation, with rumours of top civil servant Sir Chris Wormald departing soon. Chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications chief Tim Allan have already left as Starmer seeks to recover from a turbulent start to 2026.
