Nearly 50 Labour MPs have warned they are prepared to rebel over Shabana Mahmood’s migration crackdown, potentially the largest backbench revolt of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership.
The Home Secretary plans to double the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five to ten years, with the changes applied retrospectively to migrants already living in the UK under existing rules.
Critics on the backbenches say the proposals are “shameful”, “unfair”, “un-British” and a “breach of trust”, warning they could damage public services, undermine business and harm Britain’s international reputation.
Tony Vaughan, the MP for Folkestone, said: “It makes Britain look unpredictable and like a country that does not keep its word.”
Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, claimed the proposals “would be the height of unfairness” and would make it harder to attract talent, while Perran Moon, who represents Camborne and Redruth, added: “It is not keeping our word. It is not fair play. Dare I say it, it is not British.”
York Central MP Rachael Maskell pledged to vote against the plans, saying: “This is not a Labour policy.”
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, MP for Slough, warned “the goalposts are being moved”, calling retrospective application “truly unfair”.
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What documents the Conservatives are seeking on Lord Mandelson
Kemi Badenoch is seeking to force the Government to release all documents showing how Lord Mandelson was appointed ambassador to the US, including messages exchanged with key figures in Sir Keir’s inner circle, including chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and top ministers.
The Conservatives are calling for the release of all papers, "including but not confined to":
- Cabinet Office due diligence carried out on Lord Mandelson’s appointment
- The conflict of interest declaration completed by Lord Mandelson
- Material submitted by the Cabinet Office and the Foreign Office to UK security vetting
- Papers and minutes from meetings at which the decision to appoint Lord Mandelson was taken
- Electronic communications and records of meetings between Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff or ministers in the six months prior to his appointment
- Electronic communications and minutes of meetings between Lord Mandelson, ministers, officials and special advisers during his time as ambassador
- Details of any payments made to Lord Mandelson on his departure as ambassador
- All information provided by Lord Mandelson to the Prime Minister that enabled him to tell MPs in September that “full due process was followed during this appointment”
EU Commission to launch probe into Lord Mandelson
The European Commission is examining whether Peter Mandelson breached its rules during his time as a trade commissioner between 2004 and 2008, a move that could see the former ambassador stripped of his EU pension.
A decision has been made to review the matter following the latest release of documents linked to the Epstein files.
Officials are assessing whether Lord Mandelson’s conduct fell foul of the institution’s code of conduct and what action, if any, should follow, per Sky News.
Under the Commission’s rules, former members must give a “solemn undertaking” that, both during and after their term of office, they will respect their obligations and “behave with integrity and discretion” when accepting appointments or benefits after leaving office.
The code sets out tough potential sanctions. In the event of a breach, it states that the Court of Justice may, at the request of the Council or the Commission, rule that the individual concerned be compulsorily retired or “deprived of his right to a pension or other benefits”.
Nigel Farage issues apology to anyone ‘genuinely hurt’ at Dulwich College
Nigel Farage has issued an apology over claims of his behaviour as a teenage pupil at Dulwich College while maintaining he had never set out to intentionally hurt anyone.
Last year, former students at the south-east London private school came forward to say they had witnessed the Reform UK leader making racist or antisemitic remarks during his time there nearly fifty years prior.
Mr Farage has long denied these claims, but made a conciliatory gesture this morning.
"I think there were two people who said they were hurt, all right, and if they genuinely were, then that's a pity and I'm sorry,” he told the BBC.
“But never, ever did I intend to hurt anybody.
"Never have."
‘Lord Mandelson scandal could bring down Keir Starmer’, says Tory chairman
| GB NEWS
The scandal surrounding Lord Mandelson could bring down Keir Starmer, Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake has said.
When asked if the furore could sink the Government, he told GB News: “We live in hope... but I think it could definitely bring Keir Starmer down.”
“I think it's one of a series of problems that Keir Starmer has got. His back benches have gone feral.”
Mr Hollinrake said the Conservatives were demanding the release of all files relating to the peer as they would “delve right to the heart of the matter, which is Keir Starmer's judgment”.
“Peter Mandelson was clearly a wrongun before he was appointed to one of the best jobs in politics, the ambassador of the US. He'd resigned twice from the cabinet before that; Keir Starmer must have known of his connections to Epstein. They were commonly known.
“Perhaps he didn't know the extent of them, but we need to know everything, and that's what we're trying to do today,” Mr Hollinrake told The People’s Channel.
“Most people go into politics for the right reasons. Yet, people like Mandelson consistently and continually get reappointed to plum roles within government, and Keir Starmer is going to be held to account for that.”
Keir Starmer expected to 'release Lord Mandelson files'
Sir Keir Starmer is set to publish key documents relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, amid mounting political pressure.
The Government is expected to release the files later today, with the documents likely to include details of how the peer was vetted for the role, as well as information on any severance payment he received following his dismissal.
Conservatives had been preparing to deploy a humble address, a parliamentary mechanism used to compel the release of papers, to force No 10’s hand.
Dozens of Labour backbenchers were understood to be prepared to support the move, raising the prospect of an embarrassing Commons defeat for the Government.
However, Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, confirmed on Wednesday morning that Downing Street would publish the documents voluntarily, allowing ministers to head off a potential humiliation in the House of Commons.
'Terrible betrayal' Wes Steeeting issues verdict on Lord Mandelson
| GB NEWS
Wes Streeting has branded the scandal surrounding Lord Mandelson as a "terrible betrayal" while speaking to GB News.
Appearing on Breakfast, the Health Secretary was asked: "Do you regret being associated now with Peter Mandelson?"
"Yes. It is a terrible betrayal," Mr Streeting admitted.
"It's a betrayal of two Prime Ministers by Lord Peter Mandelson. It's a betrayal of our country and its national interests... but fundamentally, it's a betrayal of our values as well."
Lord Mandelson was appointed the British ambassador to the US last year but was soon removed from post as details of his relationship to Jeffrey Epstein emerged.
Now, files released by the US Department of Justice are said to show Lord Mandelson sharing material with Epstein while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s Labour government during the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath.
PMQ's loom: What's happening in Westminster today
Good morning and welcome to the GB News politics live blog.
Today, Keir Starmer will be questioned by the Prime Minister at Prime Minister’s Questions at noon, where he will face six questions from the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, and two from the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey.
A key theme of the Commons session will address the scandal surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson after the Metropolitan Police confirmed an investigation is underway into allegations that he passed market-sensitive information to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Files released by the US Department of Justice are said to show Lord Mandelson sharing material with Epstein while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s Labour government during the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath.
Gordon Brown has written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, saying he has “information relevant to his investigation of Lord Mandelson’s disclosure of market-sensitive and confidential Government information” to Epstein. The former prime minister said he decided to contact police directly as the inquiry gathered pace.
Lord Mandelson is expected to step down from the House of Lords amid the mounting controversy.
Sir Keir had threatened legislation within weeks to strip him of his title, while police assess whether there was misconduct in public office.
Today, Labour Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP, Kevin Hollinrake MP, Conservative Party Chairman, and Helen Morgan MP, Health Spokesperson, will be speaking to The People’s Channel.
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