Starmer-Mandelson latest: PM could face Privileges Committee after claims he misled MPs

The prime minister is set to face another day of questions and revelations over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

Cabinet office permanent secretary Cat Little is expected to give evidence on the vetting of Lord Mandelson to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday.

Ms Little, who is also the chief operating officer of the civil service, will be grilled on her version of events following the scandal.

It comes after sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins gave evidence to the committee earlier this week.

He claimed that the Foreign Office was subjected to “constant pressure” to approve Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US regardless of the outcome of security vetting.

Discontent is reported to be brewing in the prime minister’s cabinet over his handling of the Mandelson vetting scandal.

Several ministers are said to have shared concerns with Sir Keir over the sacking of ex-mandarin Sir Olly Robbins during a meeting on Tuesday, as first reported by The Guardian.

Among those who voiced discontent are believed to be home secretary Shabana Mahmood and justice secretary David Lammy.

There are also reports foreign secretary Yvette Cooper and energy secretary Ed Miliband have distanced themselves from the prime minister over accusations No 10 sought an ambassador job for Lord Matthew Doyle after he left his post as communications chief at Downing Street.

Lord Doyle had the Labour whip withdrawn earlier this year due to his links with a convicted paedophile.

Sir Keir is likely to face more pressure on Thursday as cabinet office secretary Cat Little appears before the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The prime minister could face a parliamentary inquiry over the Lord Peter Mandelson scandal, it has been reported.

The Independent understands Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is urging the Speaker of the Commons to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the privileges committee over concerns he misled MPs over the vetting process.

Any move would be subject to a vote by all MPs.

The controversy over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador continues unabated as the prime minister faces attacks from all sides of the political spectrum.

Evidence given by top Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins on Tuesday contradicted several of the claims made by Downing Street over the vetting process for the appointment, prompting fresh allegations that Sir Keir misled parliament over the issue.

The fallout comes after it was revealed last week that Peter Mandelson failed crucial security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador, but was given the role anyway after Foreign Office intervention.

But why did he fail his vetting? You can read the explainer below:

At PMQs, Keir Starmer looked more assured than he has for some time – but there is something almost delusional in his upbeat demeanour, says John Rentoul.

His appearance follows that of former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins, who was sacked by the prime minister last week after claiming that he had not told the PM about the details of the vetting decision.

But who is the prime minister’s former chief of staff? You can read more below:

More damaging still are the WhatsApp messages sent by this publication to the then director of communications in Downing Street, Tim Allan, raising the issue on 11 September.

This has been described by a number of civil servants and senior politicians as the “smoking gun” in the entire scandal, because it is at odds with the prime minister’s own assessment.

Sir Keir claimed that he, his ministers and Downing Street only found out about the security vetting failure last week. But doubt has been cast on this claim because The Independent informed Downing Street’s most senior communications official months before.

You can read all about The Independent’s reporting and why it is proving a headache to the prime minister below:

Labour MP Dan Carden has appeared on Newsnight tonight to speak about the day’s events regarding the Mandelson scandal.

He refused to be drawn on whether he had confidence in the prime minister, but said he would lead Labour into the local elections.

But he added there is “definitely a question about the future of the Labour party”.

It comes on a night another Labour MP voiced their concerns over Sir Keir’s leadership. Earlier today Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash told GB News he does not believe “anyone reasonably expects the prime minister to lead the party into the next election”.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir was asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch whether he stood by his previous statements to the Commons that due process had been followed in the appointment.

The Prime Minister replied that he did, adding: “Yesterday, Sir Olly Robbins was asked if he shared that decision with me, No 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer: no. That puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.”

Olly Robbins is justifiably aggrieved at being removed for doing what the prime minister put pressure on him to do – but in the end, this may well harm the sacker more than the sackee.

Read The Independent’s editorial below: