Keir Starmer forced to release Mandelson files after Labour MPs revolt against PM

WATCH: Nigel Farage predicts when Keir Starmer will be booted from office as pressure mounts over Peter Mandelson scandal

Nigel Farage has made a bombshell prediction that Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership is entering its "final weeks," as the Reform UK leader warns the Peter Mandelson scandal has left the Prime Minister’s administration in a terminal "death spiral."

Speaking on GB News, Nigel Farage predicted a swift and brutal collapse of the Labour leadership, starting with the immediate departure of the PM’s right-hand man, Morgan McSweeney, before Keir Starmer himself is forced out of Downing Street by the summer.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Scottish Labour backs Australia-style social media ban as ‘young brains not designed’ for screen overload

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has backed growing calls to ban social media for under-16s, believing “young people’s brains were not designed for this constant dopamine hit’ created by social media algorithms.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Glasgow, he laid out a series of goals to go further in protecting school children and crack down on antisocial behaviour in schools.

In addition to throwing Scottish Labour support behind the social media ban, he committed to banning phones in schools.

“We know that violence in the class room is on the rise,” he said, continuing, “we know that teachers and pupils do not feel safe in the classroom."

GB News Scotland Reporter Tony McGuire spoke to the Scottish Labour leader about the impact on rural Scottish communities.

READ TONY'S DISPATCH HERE.

Donald Trump set to approve Labour's Chagos surrender

President Trump is set to approve Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial Chagos deal after Downing Street offered him extra security guarantees.

The President changed his stance on the deal after intense lobbying from members of the American intelligence community and British officials.

There were also renewed pledges from Sir Keir to protect the US military base there.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Downing Street backs releasing Peter Mandelson documents

A Downing Street spokesman said: "Peter Mandelson's actions were unforgivable.

"He lied to the Prime Minister, hid information that has since come to light and presented Jeffrey Epstein as someone he barely knew.

"We will comply with the motion, including publishing documents relating to Peter Mandelson’s appointment, which will show the lies he told."

Cabinet minister confirms documents relating to Peter Mandelson will NOT be released tonight

Documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as British ambassador will not be released today, a Cabinet Office minister has said.

Chris Ward told the Commons: "I just want to confirm to the house the material will not be released today because of the conversation with the Metropolitan Police over that, but it will be released as quickly as possible, in line with the process set out before the House."

He did not confirm when the documents would be released but said it would be "as soon as possible."

Mr Ward, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said: "We want to get with this.

"There is a lot of material here to go through. We will get through this as quickly as possible. Other humble, other humble addresses have taken a number of weeks or months."

Nigel Farage demands investigation into Peter Mandelson

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called on the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to launch an investigation into Peter Mandelson.

Mr Farage is demanding the European board to investigate allegations the former EU trade commissioner had used his time in the role for personal gain.

The Clacton MP said: "Lord Mandelson has potentially used his EU office for personal financial gain and/or has leaked information confidential to the Commission to a private individual in breach of his professional secrecy obligations.

"His conduct is arguably sufficiently egregious for him to forfeit his pension. I believe these allegations warrant an investigation by OLAF."

Met Police asks Labour NOT to release certain Mandelson documents

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it asked the Government not to release "certain documents" relating to Jeffrey Epstein.

A spokesman from Scotland Yard said the documents could "undermine our current investigation."

The force has begun a criminal investigation into allegations Lord Peter Mandelson passed market-sensitive information to the convicted pedophile while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s Labour administration as it dealt with the 2008 financial crash and its aftermath.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

WATCH: Lord Mandelson saga is 'terminal' for Sir Keir Starmer, says Mel Stride

The "end of days" is looming for Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership as he faces a ferocious backlash over Lord Mandelson, Sir Mel Stride has claimed.

Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Chancellor described a "dumbfounded" atmosphere in the House of Commons today after the Prime Minister admitted that he knew about Mandelson’s ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein before handing him the plum role of UK Ambassador to the US.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Downing Street says Peter Mandelson 'lied' to Keir Starmer

A Downing Street source said: "Before Peter Mandelson was appointed, there had been reports that linked him with Jeffrey Epstein, including after he was first convicted.

"This was looked into as part of the appointment process, as the Prime Minister referenced today.

"Peter Mandelson lied to the Prime Minister, hid information that has since come to light and presented Epstein as someone he barely knew.

"In September, new information revealed the depth and extent of the relationship was materially different to what was known at the time of his appointment and that he had utterly misled the Prime Minister. He was swiftly sacked."

Esther McVey says Government will 'crumble' after today's PMQs

A senior Conservative MP has suggested Labour will "crumble" after today's PMQs.

Esther McVey, a former work and pensions secretary and MP for Tatton, told MPs: "It begs into question every judgment of this Prime Minister from Chagos to China to the Northern Ireland Troubles Act.

"This today, I would say, is the crumbling of Starmer.

"His judgment is poor, his judgment is ruining this country and the Labour Party."

Zarah Sultana demands Keir Starmer to resign over Mandelson scandal

Your Party co-founder Zarah Sultana has said Sir Keir Starmer must resign over the Lord Mandelson scandal.

The Coventry South MP told the Commons: "The Government’s last-minute manuscript amendment is a desperate attempt to control dissent on the Labour back benches.

"This is not accountability, it is not transparency, it’s delay and it is damage control.

"They are kicking the can down the road in the hope that the outrage will fade and the questions will go away. Well, they won’t, and that’s why I’m supporting calls for an independent judge-led public inquiry.

"This is not just about Peter Mandelson. It is about a system that protects the powerful and disregards the public. The victims deserved better, the British public deserve better.

"The Prime Minister said he had full confidence in Peter Mandelson. Well the public has no confidence in him. He should do the honourable thing and resign."

WATCH: GB News’ Political Editor Christopher Hope gives an update on the revolt that is brewing within Labour

Ministers blast Morgan McSweeney in post PMQs fallout-  'He has to go!' 

Ministers have said Sir Keir Starmer's Chief of Staf Morgan McSweeney "has to go" in the ongoing row over the release of the Mandelson files.

One minister told The Times: "PMQs made things worse. People [are] really upset", with another adding: "[Mr McSweeney] has to go."

A Labour MP and loyalist to Sir Keir said: "Inexplicable PMQs today. This has an end of days feel."

Another key backer of the Prime Minister called today a "f*****g car crash", with an ally of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner saying: "Morgan is finished."

Veteran Tory blasts lack of scrutiny over Mandelson appointment

A long-serving Conservative MP has blasted Labour, lamenting a lack of scrutiny of Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US Ambassador.

Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale said: "How was it that somebody who was already established to have had to resign twice from Government in disgrace, who had questions over his performance in the European Commission and then was known to have maintained a very close friendship with a convicted paedophile, how did that man ever come to be regarded as an appropriate appointee as our ambassador in Washington?

"That was one of the issues and that was the critical issue that the foreign affairs committee was anxious to examine. We did repeatedly ask that Peter Mandelson come before the committee. He did not.

"We were told eventually that we had had our opportunity to speak to him briefly over breakfast in Washington and that that was sufficient. It was not sufficient, we were not able to ask him those questions."

Labour MP says she is 'ashamed' of Government over Mandelson files fallout

Labour MP Paula Barker, who is deputy chairwoman of the Standards Committee and Privileges Committee, said she is "ashamed of" and would vote against Sir Keir Starmer’s amendment to the motion demanding the release of papers on Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment that carves out an exemption for any papers that would be "prejudicial to UK national security of international relations."

She told MPs that allowing the International and Security Committee decide what papers can be released is "unquestionably the way forward."

Ms Barker, the MP for Liverpool Wavertree said: "I implore my government to withdraw their amendment, unless the ICS deal with the issues, because that is the right thing to do.

"Therefore, if it is not withdrawn, it is with a heavy heart that I must vote against my government amendment today."

John McDonnell calls for Morgan McSweeney to resign

John McDonnell has called for Sir Keir Starmer's Chief of Staff Morgan to resign as he said he has lost confidence in the Prime Minister.

The former Shadow Chancellor told Sky News: "I’d never call for [Sir Keir] to go but I have lost confidence in him, yes, I certainly have.

"I think the decisions around Mandelson certainly pushed me over the edge because I think this was such a poor decision...I think Keir needs to examine his own situation, certainly his own position.”

Asked about Morgan McSweeney, Mr McDonnell responded: "I think he should go. In the interests of the party, in the interests of the administration, I think he should go."

Debate over Mandelson files could last until 7pm tonight

A vote on whether to release all documents related to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the US ambassador could be as late as 7pm, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told the Commons.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has tabled a humble address motion to release documents including due diligence work carried out by the Cabinet Office and emails between Lord Mandelson and his ally Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff.

A second opposition day debate on a social media ban for under-16s was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, but this could be ditched if the Tories decide so.

Prominent Labour backbencher accuses Downing Street of 'nasty factionalism'

A prominent backbench left wing Labour MP has accused Downing Street of "nasty factionalism."

Leeds East MP Richard Burgon told the Commons: "At Prime Minister’s Questions today, the Prime Minister said that he knew before appointing Peter Mandelson that Peter Mandelson had maintained a relationship with Epstein.

"So people not just in this chamber but people out there are asking: given what was known, and what is admitted was known, how on earth did Peter Mandelson end up being appointed by the Prime Minister as the ambassador to the United States of America?"

He continued: "I think that something that must come into that and it’s not a distraction is political culture and by that I mean the political culture that has developed within the Labour Party.

"Now that might seem tangential but how we ended up in a situation where a nasty factionalism has operated to such an extent that the Prime Minister and his advisers have promoted and protected Peter Mandelson, when so many honest, decent Labour people around the country have been unreasonably punished and prevented from standing to office?”

"We all saw how Andy Burnham was prevented, pushed by the Prime Minister from even standing to Parliament, but at the same time Peter Mandelson was promoted.

"A way was found by the Prime Minister and his advisers to push Peter Mandelson into the line into the office of ambassador to the USA."

Keir Starmer insists he had ‘nothing to do’ with disgraced lawyer Phil Shiner 

Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether disgraced lawyer Phil Shiner ever instructed him to act in any legal cases, after being asked at Prime Minister’s Questions.

However, the Prime Minister stressed he had “absolutely nothing to do with” Shiner after allegations of wrongdoing emerged.

Shiner is a former human rights lawyer who was struck off in 2017 for pursuing false abuse claims against British troops. In 2024, he was convicted of three counts of fraud relating to legal aid claims made in 2007 and was given a two-year suspended sentence.

Last week, it was reported that Sir Keir had written a chapter for a 2008 book compiled by Shiner, which was described as a call for European human rights laws to be used to investigate British troops in Iraq.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said this was a “desperate and deliberate misrepresentation” and that the chapter was “an academic legal analysis about international human rights law”.

Keir Starmer ‘must take responsibility’ for appointing Lord Mandelson, say Tories

Sir Keir Starmer must “take responsibility” for the appointment of Lord Mandelson, Conservatives have said, as pressure mounts on the Prime Minister.

Alex Burghart claimed to MPs that Mr Starmer was aware of Lord Mandelson’s “unhealthy relationship with a man who was a convicted paedophile” and had appointed him as ambassador regardless.

“Everyone in the House should be shocked by it,” he said.

Mr Burghart argued that “the appointment would not have been made" if the Prime Minister been challenged directly on the issue at the time.

“But the Prime Minister knew, his aides knew, and the appointment was made anyway. What else did he know?” Mr Burghart asked.

The Tory said that only the release of documents under a humble address, if handled in good faith by the Government, would reveal whether concerns had been repeatedly raised and “swept away”.

“It will then be the duty of the Government to disclose who swept them away and why,” he added.

“Ultimate responsibility must rest with the Prime Minister. It is time for him to take responsibility.”

Angela Rayner piles pressure on Keir Starmer over Lord Mandelson documents 

Angela Rayner has demanded that the Intelligence & Security Committee have oversight of the release of documents relating to Lord Mandelson.

The Former Deputy Prime Minister's intervention suggests she considers the Government's tabled motion on the releases insufficient and that ISC must be given to ensure public confidence in the process.

She said: “Given the public disgust and the sickening behaviour of Peter Mandelson and the importance of transparency, in 2022 I proposed a humble address seeking information about PPE which the party resisted...

“Should we not have the ISC not have the same role in keeping public confidence in the process?”

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the paymaster general, said: “In the first instance let me say that this process now is going to be conducted and led by the Cabinet Secretary, of unimpeachable integrity.

“But secondly it’ll be conducted by Cabinet Office lawyers. Now the House is asking, quite fairly, a broader question about scrutiny ... There’s existing powers for the ISC in terms of scrutiny.”

'Cover up': John McDonnell will rebel over Government's amended motion on release of Mandelson files

Labour MP John McDonnell said he will rebel on Sir Keir Starmer’s amendment to the motion demanding the release of papers on Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment, arguing that it could lead to a cover-up.

The former shadow chancellor said: “I will vote against the Government’s amendment today that tries to exclude papers from the inquiry into Mandelson on the grounds ‘prejudicial to international relations’.

“This is so wide that it opens up the Prime Minister to allegations of collusion in a cover-up.”

Keir Starmer asked: ‘How can we trust him to remain as Prime Minister?’

Keir Starmer has been asked a devastating question at PMQs, posed by Plaid Cymru’s Elizabeth Saville Roberts.

Referring to the Lord Mandelson scandal, she said: "This man's association with Epstein was known when the Prime Minister personally appointed him as the UK's ambassador to the USA.

"How can we trust the Prime Minister's judgment?

"And in questioning that, how can we trust him to remain as prime minister?"

Responding, Sir Keir said: "To be absolutely clear, the scale and extent of the relationship between Mandelson and Epstein was not disclosed.

"On the contrary, it wasn't just not disclosed. Mandelson lied. Throughout the process, and beyond the process."

WATCH: Suella Braverman grills Keir Starmer on grooming gangs 'cover up'

Ed Davey asks Keir Starmer if he was concerned by claims Epstein was a Russian agent 

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has asked if he is concerned by claims that Jeffrey Epstein was a Russian agent, based on the relationship the late disgraced financier shared with Lord Mandelson.

"Mr Speaker, the Polish government think Epstein may have been spying for Vladimir Putin."Is the prime minister concerned that Peter Mandelson may have been leaking state secrets not just to a paedophile American financier, but also a Russian agent?"

Sir Ed also asked the Prime Minister if there would be a public inquiry into the scandal.

In response, Sir Keir said: "Well, Mr Speaker, he talks about a public inquiry."Obviously, the focus now has to be on the criminal investigation, which has started.

"As he knows, that investigation will go wherever the evidence leads it.

"And I've made it absolutely clear that the government will cooperate, as he would expect, with that criminal investigation, wherever it goes."

Keir Starmer defends blocking the release of some Lord Mandelson documents 

The Prime Minister has defended the decision to block the release of some documents pertaining to Lord Mandelson on national security grounds.

“The first exemption is in relation to anything that could compromise national security ... Many members opposite will know exactly why that needs to be in the exemption.”

"Just to be very clear, to vote to release something that would prejudice national security is wrong in principle," he told MPs.

"The second exemption is in relation to things that would prejudice international relations. There will be discussions about security and intelligence and trade, which will be highly sensitive to both countries involved and to third countries.

“They have to ask themselves whether they want to vote to prejudice our national security. I don’t think, in fairness, that they do. But can I reassure the House that the process for deciding what falls into those categories will not be a political process, it will be led by the Cabinet Secretary supported by Government legal teams.”

Starmer: 'I have full confidence in Morgan McSweeney' 

The Prime Minister has told MPs that he has "full confidence" in Morgan McSweeney amid a grilling from Kemi Badenoch and others.

Mrs Badenoch asked: “The Prime Minister chose to inject Mandelson’s poison into the heart of his Government on the advice of Morgan McSweeney. His catastrophic lack of judgment, telling us that he did know, has harmed the special relationship, it has endangered national security, it has compromised our diplomacy, and it has embarrassed our nation. After all of this, does he have the same full confidence in Morgan McSweeney that he did in Peter Mandelson?”

“Morgan McSweeney is an essential part of my team. He helped me change the Labour Party and win an election," Sir Keir shot back.

"Of course I have confidence in him.

“But whatever is slung across this Despatch Box, I don’t think it is right for the Cabinet Secretary to be denigrated in that way and to suggest that he would be involved in a cover-up.

"There’s the politics that comes over the Despatch Boxes but I honestly don’t think it’s right to impugn the Cabinet Secretary in that way.”

Badenoch: Government is 'voting for a cover up' 

Kemi Badenoch has accused the Government of "voting for a cover-up" by blocking the release of certain files relating to Lord Mandelson over national security concerns.

The Tory leader told MPs: "The national security issue was appointing Mandelson in the first place... humble addresses already exempt genuine national security. This is not about national security. This is about his job security."

She added: "[Sir Keir's] amendment lets him withhold anything to do with international relations.

"If they're voting for it, they are voting for the cover-up."

Mrs Badenoch continued: “I’ve set out the process. It won’t be a political process; it will be led by the Cabinet Secretary, supported by the Government's legal teams. But I’m pleased that she I think now accepts that at least the first exemption that we’ve written into the amendment is the right amendment in relation to prejudice [to] national security.

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure this is fully transparent and disclosed. But she and those behind her will understand from their own experience in Government the sensitivity of information about security and intelligence and trade relations that are inevitably caught in the exchanges of the nature that are being asked for.”

Starmer: Lord Mandelson 'betrayed our country'

Sir Keir Starmer issued a furious verdict on Lord Mandelson, describing him as having "betrayed our country".

“I’m as angry as anyone about what Mandelson has been up to.

"The disclosures that have been made this week of his passing sensitive information at the height of the response to the 2008 financial crash are utterly shocking and appalling.

"He's betrayed our country. He's lied repeatedly. He's responsible for a litany of deceit.

"But this moment demands not just anger, but action, and that's why we've moved quickly, referring material to the police, publishing legislation so it can remove titles from disgraced politicians and stripping Mandelson of his privy councillorship.

"That is what the public expects, and that is what we will do."

Starmer: 'Mandelson lied repeatedly' in vetting process 

Keir Starmer has said Lord Mandelson “lied repeatedly” in his vetting process as he addressed the scandal at PMQs.

"To learn that there was a cabinet minister leaking sensitive information at the height of the response to the 2008 crash is beyond infuriating.

"And I am as angry as the public and any member of this House. Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party.

"Mr Speaker, he lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador.

"I regret appointing him.

"If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government."

Keir Starmer cheered as PMQs begin

The Prime Minister has been cheered by his MPs as PMQs begin.

Dozens of Labour MPs threaten to rebel over Shabana Mahmood's migrant crackdown

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”.

Keir Starmer leaves No10 for PMQs

Shabana Mahmood refuses to confirm small boat crossings will fall by next year

Shabana Mahmood said the number of small boat crossings is currently “unacceptable” but failed to guarantee the figure would fall by this time next year.

The Home Secretary was asked by Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire about a 13 per cent increase in crossings last year, along with an asylum “backlog” of tens of thousands, and when she expected numbers to come down.

She told the Home Affairs Select Committee: “Those numbers are obviously not where I want to be either.

“This is an issue of deep concern in my own constituency and my city as well, so I fully hear what you and your constituents are saying, and it’s exactly where I am as well.

“These are unacceptable and the numbers need to come down. What I would say is this is a fiendishly difficult problem to resolve.”

Asked whether she could confidently say numbers would go down by this time next year, she said: “I would love to be in that position. I can’t guarantee I’m going to be in that position.

“That’s because the measures will take some time to come into effect. We will legislate at the earliest opportunity to change the appeal system, to further restrict the way that Article 8 of the Human Rights Act is interpreted.

“There is a whole range of legislative changes that we have announced, which we are working at pace to draft and get right before we pass them in a Bill – that all necessarily does take some time.”

Home Secretary urged to negotiate new contracts for migrant hotels 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been urged to negotiate new contracts for hotels housing asylum seekers.

Ms Mahmood told the Home Affairs Committee she would make sure taxpayers were getting “value for money”, and did not rule out the possibility of triggering the asylum accommodation break clause.

The Home Secretary has been tasked with speeding up efforts to close asylum hotels and has argued that using military sites is a vital part of ending that plan.

She told MPs: “I want to make sure that we’re getting value for money, not just from the contracts, but from the overall picture on accommodation.

“I’m not setting myself against the possibility of using the break clause.

“I think it’s right that I’ve asked somebody to independently look at the contracts and how they’re performing.”

Who will be asking questions at PMQs

Keir Starmer will face a grilling today from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey as well as:

• Johanna Baxter (Lab)
• Julie Minns (Lab)
• Kerry McCarthy (Lab)
• Charlie Dewhirst (Con)
• Luke Charters (Lab)
• Alex Baker (Lab)
• Jonathan Brash (Lab) - who is MP for Hartlepool, where Peter Mandelson was the MP from 1992-2004
• Neil Hudson (Con)
• Alan Strickland (Lab)
• Helen Hayes (Lab)
• Layla Moran (LD)
• Ben Goldsborough (Lab)
• Christine Jardine (LD)
• Chris Coghlan (LD)

Labour MP reveals he may rebel over Labour plan to block release of some Lord Mandelson files

A Labour MP has said he will “probably” vote against the Government’s attempt to block the release of documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson on the grounds of national security and international relations.

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP and former Shadow Employment Secretary Andy McDonald said that doing so would “throw a cloak over the entire Mandelson affair”.

Mr McDonald said he was likely to side with the Conservatives, saying: “I’ve seen the amendment and it brings in issues of national security, international relations and foreign affairs.

“Well, that’s what this is about. And if this amendment were to stand at face value, it would be to throw a cloak over the entire Mandelson affair,” he told Sky News

While acknowledging “the need to have full reconnaissance about issues of national security”, Mr McDonald added that “we cannot have the government marking its own homework”.

He dismissed the Government’s position as disingenuous, saying: “This amendment to simply say that ‘we support what the Tories are saying, save for the impacts upon foreign affairs, international relations, and national security’ is nonsense, because it is just a way of not revealing information.”

Revealed: crude jokes between Lord Mandelson and Epstein 

Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein shared crude jokes after the latter was released from prison following his sentence for child sex offences.

The peer described the day of Epstein's release as "liberation day" and asked how the disgraced financier planned to celebrate.

"With grace and modesty (these are the names of two strippers)," Epstein responded.

Lord Mandelson then asked: "How is freedom feeling?"

"She feels fresh, firm and creamy," the sex offender said, prompting the peer to describe him as a: "Naughty boy"

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 

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

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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