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Commons to Vote on Referring Starmer to Privileges Committee Over Mandelson Appointment

A referral would trigger a contempt inquiry with the power to demand documents and call witnesses.

Overview

  • MPs are set to decide Tuesday whether to send the case to the Privileges Committee after Speaker Lindsay Hoyle cleared time for a debate and a simple-majority vote.
  • The motion centers on claims that Keir Starmer misled the House by saying due process was followed, even as reports say security vetters advised denying Peter Mandelson clearance.
  • A memo from cabinet secretary Simon Case urged finishing security checks before any public announcement, and both sides now dispute whether that note was a firm instruction or guidance.
  • Former official Olly Robbins says the Foreign Office was pressed to speed up the process, which clashes with Starmer’s denials of any such pressure.
  • Labour’s majority could block a referral, yet signs of internal unease have surfaced, and a separate Foreign Affairs Committee inquiry heard Morgan McSweeney call the Mandelson pick a serious mistake.