Labour MP Emily Thornberry criticizes the UK government for failing to support the Palestinian people and make it economically impossible for Israel to continue actions in the West Bank and Gaza. She also condemned Donald Trump's handling of a Gaza ceasefire.
Emily Thornberry says foreign affairs committee already looking into issue and more documents are due to be publishedGood morning. Kemi Badenoch is trying to get Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker, to give MPs a vote on a proposal to get the Commons privileges committee to investigate allegations that Keir Starmer lied to MPs in statements he made to them about the vetting of Peter Mandelson. Other opposition parties may be backing her, but we don’t know for sure because the process is relatively secret; MPs have to write a private letter to the speaker, who then decides whether this is a serious request that should be decided by the Commons as a whole, or a frivolous complaint that should be ignored. (We do know that Karl Turner has written to the speaker about this too, but only because he was daft enough to post his letter on social media last week.) Today we are likely to find out whether or not Hoyle is agreeing to a Commons vote.Boris Johnson was referred to the privileges committee over allegations that he lied to MPs about Partygate (allegations the committee concluded were justified). Badenoch wants to make the case that Starmer is just as dishonest as Johnson. He isn’t, by any stretch, and the claims that Starmer lied to MPs about Mandelson are spurious; they relate to contest intepretations of political language of the kind that are commonplace in parliamentary debate. But the fact that this has even become a live consideration for the speaker is a big win for the Tories.The fact that Kemi Badenoch has changed the accusations she is levelling against the PM on an almost daily basis as her claims have failed to stand up to scrutiny shows what this is really about. This is a nakedly political stunt with no substance ahead of the May elections.Any comparison with Boris Johnson is absurd. When parliament referred that matter to the privileges committee, a police investigation had directly disproved his categoric statements that he knew nothing about the breach of lockdown rules.I suppose our constituents might ask [if a privileges committee goes ahead], have we got the balance right between holding the government to account and seemingly squabbling amongst ourselves when there is so much else going on that perhaps parliament ought to be focusing on as well.I have to say, a really truthful position is, why the rush at the moment? Has it got anything to do with local elections? Continue reading...
Chief property and security officer Ian Collard set to submit written answers to foreign affairs committee questionsA key figure in the row over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to Washington will not appear before a parliamentary committee of MPs to give evidence.Dame Emily Thornberry had requested that Ian Collard speak to the foreign affairs committee (FAC) on Tuesday, but confirmed on Saturday that he would submit written answers instead.Whether he felt under pressure to deliver Lord Mandelson’s clearance, after Sir Olly said there was an “atmosphere of pressure” and “constant chasing” from Downing Street.Whether he had seen the cover form for Lord Mandelson’s vetting by UK Security Vetting (UKSV), the agency responsible for checks on candidates for sensitive posts, in which it had ticked two red boxes – meaning they had “high concern” and recommended “clearance denied or withdrawn”.If he was asked by anyone in the Foreign Office, Downing Street or the Cabinet Office for advice about whether Lord Mandelson required vetting for the post given he was a member of the House of Lords.If he advised on how Lord Mandelson should be treated during the period between his appointment being announced and his clearance coming through. Continue reading...
Former senior civil servant Oliver Robbins has told the Commons foreign affairs committee that he faced 'constant pressure' from No 10 to get Peter Mandelson appointed as US ambassador despite vetting concerns. Robbins revealed that Downing Street also wanted him to find a diplomatic post for Matthew Doyle, Starmer's former communications chief. The hearing revived claims that Starmer's team were determined to push through the Mandelson appointment despite multiple concerns.
Matthew Doyle, former No 10 communications chief who received a peerage after leaving Downing Street, has denied seeking an ambassadorial role following Olly Robbins' committee hearing revelations. Robbins disclosed that Starmer's No 10 had initiated discussions about finding a head of mission role for Doyle. The denial comes amid ongoing controversy over Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US.
Kemi Badenoch opens Commons emergency debate criticizing Keir Starmer's appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, highlighting vetting failures and broken promises. Olly Robbins' hearing exposes procedural issues, drawing sharp commentary from journalists and podcasters.
Olly Robbins was sacked as Foreign Office permanent secretary over the Peter Mandelson security vetting revelations in the GuardianThe hearing has started.Emily Thornberry, the chair, started by saying that Robbins did not tell the whole truth about this process when he gave evidence to it in November. Continue reading...
Olly Robbins was forced out as Foreign Office permanent secretary over the Peter Mandelson security vetting revelations in the GuardianThe hearing has started.Emily Thornberry, the chair, started by saying that Robbins did not tell the whole truth about this process when he gave evidence to it in November. Continue reading...
Former Foreign Office permanent secretary Olly Robbins has told MPs that the Cabinet Office suggested Peter Mandelson may not need to undergo security vetting before becoming UK ambassador to Washington. Robbins said the FCDO insisted Developed Vetting (DV) was required, while UKSV was 'leaning towards recommending against' the appointment, though it was ultimately approved as a 'borderline' case. He described 'constant pressure' from No 10 to get Mandelson into post 'as quickly as humanly possible' before vetting was completed.
Robbins was forced out as Foreign Office permanent secretary over the Mandelson vetting revelations in the GuardianThe hearing has started.Emily Thornberry, the chair, started by saying that Robbins did not tell the whole truth about this process when he gave evidence to it in November. Continue reading...
