Keir Starmer Confronted Over Peerage for Ex-Spin Doctor with Paedophile Links
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has asserted that his former spin doctor, Matthew Doyle, failed to provide a "full account of his actions" when granted a peerage, despite connections to a paedophile councillor. This declaration came during a tense Prime Minister's Questions session, where Starmer faced repeated interrogation over his decision to award Doyle a seat in the House of Lords earlier this year.
PMQs Scrutiny Over Doyle's Association with Sex Offender
During the parliamentary exchange, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of being aware of Doyle's association with Moray councillor Sean Morton when the peerage was conferred. Morton had been charged with possessing indecent images of children in May 2017, a charge to which he later pleaded guilty in November 2017. Badenoch highlighted that Doyle campaigned for Morton during the 2017 elections, after the initial charges were filed.
In response, Starmer emphasized, "Matthew Doyle did not give a full account of his actions. On Monday I promised my party and my country there will be change. And yesterday I removed the whip from Matthew Doyle." This move means Doyle will now sit as an independent peer in the Lords, following the revocation of his Labour whip on Tuesday.
Links to Broader Scandals and Doyle's Apology
Badenoch further attempted to connect the incident to the ongoing scandal involving Peter Mandelson's friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting it was not an isolated event. She questioned why Starmer proceeded with the peerage despite knowledge of Doyle's links, as reported by the Sunday Times.
Lord Doyle issued a public apology on Tuesday, expressing regret for his past association with Morton. In a detailed statement, he acknowledged, "I want to apologise for my past association with Sean Morton. His offences were vile and I completely condemn the actions for which he was rightly convicted." He admitted that continuing support for Morton before a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgment, and emphasized that his contact with Morton after the conviction was extremely limited.
Political Fallout and Independent Status
The controversy has sparked significant political debate, with Starmer's leadership under scrutiny for his handling of the appointment. Doyle, who will now serve as an independent peer, reiterated his condemnation of Morton's crimes and expressed sympathy for the victims. This incident underscores ongoing challenges in political appointments and accountability within Westminster.
