Former Labour MP urges Speaker to refer Starmer to privileges committee over Mandelson appointment controversy
Former Labour MP Karl Turner has urged the Commons Speaker to refer Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the privileges committee to examine whether he misled parliament over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. The controversy stems from conflicting testimony: Starmer claimed during PMQs that no pressure was put on the Foreign Office, quoting former permanent secretary Oliver Robbins, who later told MPs that 'constant pressure' was applied. Robbins was sacked by Starmer last week after being disclosed to have overturned a vetting denial. The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and SNP are pushing for a Johnson-style motion allowing all MPs to vote on whether the committee should explore if Starmer was in contempt of parliament.
