Starmer Dodges Sleaze Probe Despite Mandelson Fallout

Keir Starmer has comfortably dodged a Tory attempt to force a sleaze inquiry into the Peter Mandelson scandal.

MPs voted 335 to 223 against a Commons motion calling the Privileges Committee to launch a probe into claims the prime minister misled parliament by saying “due process” had been followed when Mandelson was made UK ambassador to Washington.

It emerged two weeks ago that UK Security Vetting (UKSV) had in fact recommended Mandelson not be given clearance to take up the role.

Starmer was also accused of misleading parliament at prime minister’s questions last week by insisting no pressure was put on Foreign Office civil servants to approve the shamed former Labour peer’s appointment.

Sir Olly Robbins, the former top civil servant in the department who was sacked by the PM for his role in Mandelson’s appointment, had said there was “constant pressure” from Downing Street.

Labour MPs had been whipped to vote against setting up an investigation into Starmer’s conduct, meaning a government defeat was never really on the cards.

Nevertheless, 15 rebels defied the PM to vote with the Conservatives, while a further 53 Labour MPs did not vote at all.

Speaking during the six-hour debate which preceded the vote, South Shields MP Enma Lewell, one of those who voted against the government, said “like the public, I feel let down, disappointed and I am angry” about the Mandelson affair.

She said: “I feel the way that today’s vote has been handled by the government smacks, once again, of being out of touch and disconnected from the public mood.

“The fact that MPs like me are being whipped into voting against this motion is, in my view, wrong.

“It has played into the terrible narrative that there is something to hide and good, decent colleagues will be accused of being complicit in a cover-up.”

Another rebel, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, said: ”“If we’re to preserve what little trust still remains in our political system, it is vital that ministers demonstrate the utmost transparency.

“And it’s vital that we as MPs, no matter our political allegiance, do not allow the impression that we are in any way attempting to cover things up for the leadership of our parties.”

Despite the criticism of their tactics, the result will be greeted with some relief in No.10.

A spokesman said: “The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.

“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”

But the prime minister has clearly been forced to use up some of what little political capital he still has with his backbenchers in order to save his skin.

One Labour MP told HuffPost UK: “It’s horrifying how many people privately realise he’s messed up, but rather than get him to say ’OK, I’ll do the hearing and show its not a privileges matter, they are going to the wall for him.”

While he has avoided the humiliation of a Privileges Committee probe – a fate which befell Boris Johnson over partygate and helped lead to his own downfall – the whole saga has further damaged Starmer’s standing with his party and in the country.

Next month’s elections in England, Wales and Scotland are certain to be disastrous for Labour, and could even lead to an attempt to unseat the prime minister.

Starmer may have dodged a bullet this evening, but it may well prove to be just a stay of execution.

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