Starmer Confronted Over 'Paedophile Apologist' Allegations in Government Appointments
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been accused of filling his Government with 'paedophile apologists' as he faced fierce scrutiny over another contentious appointment on Wednesday. The Labour leader was grilled in the House of Commons regarding his decision to grant a peerage to his former communications chief, Matthew Doyle, despite being aware that Doyle maintained a friendship with a Labour councillor charged with serious child-sex offences.
Echoes of Previous Controversies and Leadership Crisis
Lord Doyle's elevation to the Lords mirrors Sir Keir's earlier controversial move to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite warnings about Mandelson's association with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This latest row has reignited serious questions about the Prime Minister's judgment, threatening to plunge his leadership back into turmoil just days after he narrowly avoided a coup over the Mandelson scandal.
Outraged Labour women have accused Starmer of fostering a 'boys' club' atmosphere in Number 10, alleging that the administration has shown insufficient concern for victims of sexual abuse. Former deputy party leader Harriet Harman urged Sir Keir to appoint a woman as his de facto deputy to accelerate a 'complete culture change' within the government.
Internal Dissent and Calls for Reform
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also voiced her frustration, condemning 'toxic briefings' that she described as 'dripping with misogyny'. During a meeting with the women's Parliamentary Labour Party, the Prime Minister indicated he would consider Baroness Harman's proposal to place a woman in the role of First Secretary of State.
When questioned about Starmer's sincerity in dismantling the perceived boys' club, Baroness Harman responded, 'I think he knows he’s got to. There were a lot of women saying there needs to be leadership, because there’s a lot of junior men, who look at the way senior men have behaved, and think that’s the way you behave, that’s the way you get on - and that’s got to change.'
She characterised the Prime Minister as 'purposeful' and highlighted his background as a 'feminist ally', though some MPs expressed scepticism. One prominent MP rolled her eyes when asked about the meeting's outcome, while another accused Sir Keir of 'mansplaining'.
Political Fallout and Parliamentary Pressure
Lord Doyle, who served as Sir Keir's communications chief for four years, had the Labour whip withdrawn on Tuesday night amid mounting anger over his appointment. Downing Street struggled to justify why Starmer proceeded with Doyle's elevation to the Lords last month, following revelations in December that Doyle had campaigned for former Labour councillor Sean Morton after Morton was charged with serious sex offences.
In the Commons, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch asserted there is now an 'established pattern of behaviour' where the Prime Minister disregards warnings about allies' conduct until forced to abandon them to 'save his own skin'. Badenoch accused Starmer of 'stuffing Government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists'.
Sir Keir told MPs that his former communications chief 'did not give a full account' of his friendship with Morton during the Lords vetting process, an explanation reminiscent of the justification offered during the Mandelson appointment scrutiny.
Cross-Party Criticism and Public Backlash
Stephen Flynn, the SNP's leader in the Commons, mocked the Prime Minister, labelling him 'the most gullible former Director of Public Prosecutions in history'. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey added, 'To appoint one paedophile supporter cannot be excused as misfortune. To appoint two shows a catastrophic lack of judgment.'
One MP reported that Labour activists are being called 'paedo lovers' by voters on doorsteps, highlighting the scandal's damaging public perception. Labour peer Ayesha Hazarika told Times Radio, 'This guy (Morton) was convicted of very, very serious paedophilic crimes. Forget the vetting process, what’s happening with the nonce detector at Downing Street? I don’t make light of it, but what is going on?'
Demands for Transparency and Accountability
On Wednesday evening, Mrs Badenoch demanded that the Prime Minister release all documents related to Lord Doyle's appointment, warning she could force a parliamentary vote if he refuses. 'Keir Starmer did not care about these scandals until they threatened his premiership,' she stated. 'He was all too happy to stuff the Lords with his grubby cronies.'
Badenoch continued, 'No matter what excuses he comes up with, the facts are clear. He appointed his former director of communications Matthew Doyle as a peer, knew about his association with a paedophile, had the power to act, and yet he still chose to sit on his hands. All the documents must be published. No more cover-ups.'
Downing Street resisted the call, citing an ongoing internal inquiry into the matter.
