Keir Starmer told to resign if Lord Mandelson security claim misled MPs as PM accused of 'blatantly lying'

Jack Walters
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:51:51 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer has been told to resign if he knowingly misled MPs by claiming security officials cleared Lord Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s Ambassador to the US.

The Prime Minister consistently called on Boris Johnson to resign after it emerged the ex-Tory leader misled MPs about parties taking place in No10 while Covid restrictions were in place.

Lord Mandelson’s appointment, which has already rocked No10 with high-profile resignations, prompted cries for Sir Keir to follow suit.

The Prime Minister had previously suggested Lord Mandelson had cleared the vetting process.

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During Prime Minister's Questions on September 10, 2025, Sir Keir claimed “full due process” was followed ahead of Lord Mandelson's appointment.

However, the ex-Labour grandee was initially denied clearance in late January 2025 after a developed vetting process, The Guardian has revealed.

Foreign Office officials were accused of using a rarely adopted authority to override the recommendation from security staff.

It is not known whether the Prime Minister was made aware that his pick as the UK's man in Washington had not been granted approval.

Following the revelations in The Guardian, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Last September, Keir Starmer told Parliament three times that ‘full due process’ was followed over the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

“We now know the Prime Minister misled the House. The Prime Minister must take responsibility.”

She also accused Sir Keir of yet another "cover-up", pointing out a humble address failed to secure the release of all documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also put pressure on the Prime Minister to quit.

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“Keir Starmer had already made a catastrophic error of judgement. Now it looks as though he has also misled Parliament and lied to the British public,” Sir Ed added.

“If that is the case, he must go. Labour came into Government on a promise to clean up politics.

“Instead, we’re seeing the same old sleaze, scandal and cover-ups as we did under the Conservatives.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Keir Starmer said in February that the security services had given Mandelson ‘clearance for the role’.

“Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the Prime Minister should resign. Vote Reform on May 7 to make it happen.”

The Prime Minister's attacks on Mr Johnson over partygate sound somewhat similar to the charges now levied against him by his political opponents.

Sir Keir demanded Mr Johnson resign as Prime Minister at least five times for misleading MPs.

Mr Johnson, who had told MPs no parties took place in No10 while Covid-curbing restrictions were in place, announced his resignation following a Cabinet cabal in July 2022.

He resigned as the MP for Uxbridge & South Ruislip after the privileges committee confirmed its intention to reprimand him for misleading MPs the following year.

The Ministerial Code states that ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament are expected to resign.

The October 2025 Ministerial Code, signed off by Sir Keir, stated: “It is of paramount importance that ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity.

“Ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the Prime Minister.”

Lord Mandelson has declined to comment.

However, a friend of the peer told GB News: "Peter has absolutely no knowledge of this matter. This is the first he has heard of it.

“No one, at any level, raised or explored any subject further with him following the vetting interview process and no issue has been raised with him since.”