Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged Labour MPs to “stand together against” a bid to launch a parliamentary inquiry into claims he misled the Commons over the Peter Mandelson row.
The Commons will vote tomorrow on whether the Privileges Committee should consider whether the Prime Minister misled the House over the way the former Labour grandee’s appointment as US ambassador was handled.
In a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party this evening, Sir Keir said: “I have responsibility for being totally transparent with you, with Parliament and the British public.
“I take that very seriously as well. But this is not about a lack of transparency.
“This is a political stunt by our opponents who want to bring us down, obscure our message, stop us getting on with our work.
“And the timing tells you everything nine days before local elections.”
He claimed the Conservatives had put forward "totally baseless” and “absolutely ridiculous" accusations against him and insisted the motion on Tuesday was "pure politics”, adding: "We need to stand together against it.”
Sir Keir added: “When we stick together and fight together we are so much stronger."
Robert Jenrick referred to watchdog over foreign donations
A formal complaint concerning donations received by Robert Jenrick MP has been filed with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards by the Conservative Party.
This action follows an Electoral Commission inquiry that resulted in a file being handed over to the Metropolitan Police.
The matter centres on financial contributions made to the Newark MP, which are now subject to both a potential criminal investigation and scrutiny under parliamentary rules.
The Tories have indicated they are prepared to supply additional evidence to the Commissioner if requested.
The donations in question comprise four separate payments of £25,000 each, made between July and September 2024.
Mr Jenrick denies any wrongdoing.
Labour told to 'come clean' and release 'catalogue of all Mandelson documents' ahead of Keir Starmer crunch vote
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart urged Labour to come clean
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Labour has been told to "come clean" and release a "catalogue of all documents" relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment, to be made available to MPs.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart said: "There should be a catalogue of all documents that exist, even if the House can’t look at them. We should be allowed to know what is out there. We should be allowed to know what will come to us in due course. The titles of documents will themselves not prejudice a trial."
He pressed the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, to confirm whether a "declaration of interest form exists”, and if it will be published, saying: "Please tell us about the conflict of interest form and whether Peter Mandelson’s personal information is considered to be in scope of that ruling.”
“It is time that the Government came clean – not on its own terms, not to its own timetable, but to the terms set down by the House. So will he finally tell us a hard deadline for when these documents will be handed over?”
In his response, Mr Jones said documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s security vetting have been passed to the Intelligence and Security Committee and will be published in the second tranche of documents.
On documents given to the Met, he said: “I’ve been advised that I’m unable to list those documents on the advice of the Metropolitan Police, and so I won’t seek to do so.”
It comes as the Prime Minister is now set to face a crunch vote tomorrow over claims he has misled MPs.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle made the decision this afternoon following accusations the Prime Minister misled Parliament over the Peter Mandelson vetting row engulfing Westminster.
Lord Speaker offers emotional tribute as Labour formally swings axe on more than 900 years of British history
The Lord Speaker, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, paid tribute tonight to hereditary peers as he thanked them for their contribution to the House of Lords
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The Lord Speaker, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, paid tribute tonight to hereditary peers as he thanked them for their contribution to the House of Lords.
He said: “I would simply say this: your contribution to the House has mattered and your contribution to the country continues. The right to sit in Parliament may now pass, but service, duty and stewardship endure, and so does your example."
He said they had "shaped our institutions and defended our country” as he referred to their departure as marking "an important moment in the constitutional history of our nation”.
He said: "For close to a thousand years, hereditary peers and their families have helped to shape our institutions, defend our country, preserve our culture and strengthen that spirit of public service without which no nation can flourish.
"Hereditary peers have brought distinctive qualities to this House - an ethos of service, a long view and, not least, independence of mind. They have often shown a willingness to speak plainly, to resist passing fashions, and to act according to conscience rather than convenience.
"But the contribution of hereditaries has not all been about high politics – what is best in the tradition is the sense of obligation and stewardship and the understanding that privilege brings duties.”
Lord Forsyth said he acknowledged that the constitutional position had changed.
"But in marking that change, we should be honest enough to (also) acknowledge what hereditary peers have given to this House and to the UK, and confident enough to say that the values associated with that tradition - duty, continuity, independence and service - are not diminished by the ending of a parliamentary right."
Keir Starmer hints Labour MPs to be told to vote against Commons sleaze probe
Sir Keir Starmer has signalled Labour MPs will be told to reject a bid for a parliamentary sleaze inquiry into the Lord Mandelson vetting row.
The Commons will vote on Tuesday on whether the Privileges Committee should consider if the Prime Minister misled the House over the way the former Labour grandee’s appointment as British ambassador to the US was handled.
In an interview ahead of what will be another critical day for the future of his premiership, Sir Keir dismissed the motion as a “stunt” and insisted “we’ve huge amounts of transparency going on already.”
The Prime Minister will address the Parliamentary Labour Party at a meeting on Monday evening ahead of the crunch vote, which Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle allowed after requests from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and other senior MPs.
Asked why Labour backbenchers were being whipped to vote against the call for an investigation, Sir Keir said: “Well, because it’s a stunt.”
“We’ve got a meeting of the PLP later on tonight where that’s usually determined on Monday evening,” he told the Cathy Newman Show on Sky News.
Sir Keir revealed that his wife Lady Victoria Starmer had encouraged him to carry on in No 10 despite months of political turbulence, describing her as “an absolute rock”.
Asked whether she was advising him to keep going, he said: “She is, yes. And we talk everything through, and it’s fantastic.”
Peers vote in support of social media ban for under-16s for a fourth time
Peers have voted in support of a social media ban for under-16s for a fourth time, in a blow to the Government.
The House of Lords voted 316 to 165, majority 151, in favour of Conservative former minister Lord Nash’s amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
MPs will be given the opportunity to vote on the amendment again when it returns to the Commons later on Monday, as part of a process known as parliamentary ping-pong.
Gordon Brown backs Keir Starmer and urges Labour MPs to vote against referring Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee
Gordon Brown has told Labour MPs to vote against referring Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee
"At challenging times both for our country and the world, the Labour Party has always sought to put the needs of the country first and with conflicts raging around the world with profound consequences for our country, this is the time to do so.
"Whatever the parliamentary games at Westminster, what the country expects of everyone in Labour is to focus on the priorities of the British people, which is what Keir Starmer is doing and for which he deserves all our support"
Nigel Farage urges King Charles to confront Donald Trump over Falklands row: 'Never been Argentinian!'
Nigel Farage has said he is feeling optimistic about the state visit | GETTYNigel Farage has urged King Charles to confront Donald Trump over the Falkland Islands row during the upcoming state visit.
The Reform leader also expressed his support for the King to restore the fractured relationship between Britain and the United States in the aftermath of the public dispute between President Trump and Sir Keir Starmer.
Argentine President Javier Milei maintains a close alliance with Mr Trump, and Buenos Aires has persistently asserted its sovereignty claims over the British overseas territory.
Mr Farage outlined precisely what he believes the King should convey to the American President regarding the disputed islands.
He said: "I'd like him to say to President Trump that the Falkland Islands have never been Argentinian ever at any point in history and that's the way it's staying."
No10 furious that Privileges Committee vote going ahead
A No10 spokesperson said: “The government is engaging with the two parliamentary processes that are already running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.
“This is a desperate political stunt by the Conservative Party the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS. Their claims have no substance.”
Kemi Badenoch outlines 'overwhelming' case to refer Keir Starmer to sleaze probe ahead of major vote for PM
Kemi Badenoch has outlined her "overwhelming" case to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee ahead of the major vote tomorrow.
The Tory leader declared: "With the Speaker's permission, and working cross-party, I am presenting a motion to the House of Commons to refer the Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee.
"I do not do this lightly. No Leader of the Opposition should, but the facts are overwhelming.
The Prime Minister misled the House of Commons, repeatedly," she slammed.
She went on: "He appointed a national security risk and friend of a convicted paedophile, to be our ambassador in Washington, our most sensitive diplomatic post.
"He pretended that full due process was followed for this appointment. It was not.
"He has blamed the appointment on officials, when the blame can only be placed at his own door."
"Every MP now faces a matter of conscience, not party, conscience. Do they cover this up or do they vote to seek the truth?" she asked.
Kemi Badenoch presented with 'opportunity to put the matter to House' tomorrow, Commons Speaker declares
Kemi Badenoch will be presented with the "opportunity to put the matter to the House" tomorrow, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has announced.
Sir Lindsay said his "gatekeeping role" did not extend so far as to let him "decide whether someone is likely to have committed a contempt".
He further confirmed multiple privileges applications had been delivered unto him.
The Speaker of the House declared: "In this case, having taken advice, have decided to allow the House to come to a view on whether the Committee of Privileges should look at the matter."
Robert Jenrick slams Peter Mandelson scandal as a 'distraction' - but will support call for PM sleaze probe
Robert Jenrick has slammed the Peter Mandelson scandal as a "distraction".
However, he still vowed that Reform UK would vote in favour of referring Sir Keir Starmer to be investigated by the Privileges Committee.
The party's economic spokesman said the scandal engulfing Whitehall was "not the number one priority for the British people".
The Newark MP said that Parliament "needs to actually talk about the priorities of the British people".
"And that is not primarily about the ins and outs of Peter Mandelson... It is the cost of living, it is the small boats, it is the cost pressures that people are facing in this country," he added.
He declared: "It's a distraction and the problem for the Prime Minister is that he is paralysed."
On the PM's "appalling behaviour", Mr Jenrick said: "He deserves everything that he gets, frankly. I want to get rid of Keir Starmer."
Tories accused of 'silly political games' as Emma Reynolds leaps to Keir Starmer's defence
Emma Reynolds has delivered a robust defence of the Prime Minister, rejecting claims he deceived Parliament regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment.
Speaking to GB News, the Environment Secretary characterised opposition demands for a Commons sleaze investigation as "silly political games" being pursued by the Conservatives and other parties.
She claimed the Government had fulfilled its obligations under the humble address procedure, stating: "As a Government, we have presented all the documents necessary to comply with the humble address."
Ms Reynolds declared it had been "categorically proven" that the Prime Minister neither lied to nor misled Parliament, with the Speaker ultimately deciding whether any vote proceeds.
Prime Minister's Questions WILL go ahead amid speculation Lindsay Hoyle will grant debate on whether PM misled Parliament
Prime Minister's Questions is set to go ahead on Wednesday amid speculation Sir Lindsay Hoyle will grant a debate on whether Sir Keir Starmer misled Parliament over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.
Previously, it was through that Parliament could be closed early on Wednesday ahead of the King's Speech on May 13.
But Sir Keir is in for another grilling, with the earliest Parliament can prorogued is the end of Wednesday, subject to Parliamentary business.
Labour rebels urge Keir Starmer to set out resignation date as Angela Rayner told to strike Blair-Brown style leadership pact with Andy Burnham
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to set out his resignation date in the fallout over the Peter Mandelson scandal.
In the wake of the upcoming set of local elections, which is expected to bring a day of historic losses for the party, backbenchers are readying themselves to call on the Prime Minister to disclose the day he will leave Downing Street.
Despite many rallying around the Prime Minister to move out of No10 after the May elections, rebels will encourage Sir Keir to step down by Labour's autumn conference.
Meanwhile, Westminster rival Angela Rayner has been told to strike a Blair-Brown-style leadership pact with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
The pair could be combining their influence on the left of Labour, with Mr Burnham running for the leadership role.
Ms Rayner, however, would support his bid for Downing Street – as well as "any job she wanted" in his Cabinet, The Telegraph was told.
The deal would be reminiscent of the "Granita pact" between New Labour giants Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Keir Starmer compared to former US President George W Bush
Sir Tony Blair's spin doctor has compared Sir Keir Starmer to the former US President George W Bush.
Alastair Campbell has suggested that, like the ex-Commander-in-Chief, the serving Prime Minister has developed an affinity for gaffes during his premiership.
"He reminds me, to this regard only, of George W Bush," he told Holyrood Magazine, while he warned Britain was facing a "dark" time.
Prime Minister will hold Cobra meeting on Tuesday amid Iran war
The Prime Minister has announced he will hold a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Tuesday amid the Iran war.
Speaking in Lancashire, Sir Keir Starmer outlined the impact of the Middle East conflict devastating "ordinary people" across the UK.
Top bosses from the Bank of England will attend, warning the USDAE trade union annual delegate meeting that the "economic consequences (of the Iran conflict) could still be with us for some time".
Keir Starmer vows to end retail crime 'free-for-all' and protect workers as he makes major speech
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to end the retail crime "free-for-all" and protect staff from harassment as he sets out the "biggest upgrade for workers' rights for a generation".
Making a major speech from Lancashire, he vowed to offer major protections to workers up and down Britain.
Sir Keir offered assurances from both sick pay and paternity leave "from day one", as well as protection for whistleblowers, and no more gagging orders on sexual harassment.
He added he backed scrapping more exploitative zero-hour contracts, as well as stronger collective consultation rights - and, "underpinning all of that, a proper living wage".
Greens leader proposes 'cannabis cafe or club' as part of party's plan to regulate drugs
The Greens' Zack Polanski has proposed the concept of a "cannabis cafe or social club" as part of his party's bid to regulate drugs.
Declaring the "war on drugs has clearly failed", he called for the legalisation and regulation of drugs, including cannabis, in the UK.
He told Sky News they would not "necessarily" be on a high street and assured there would be a "whole conversation" about the impact on the local community.
Protesters prepare to descend on Westminster to rally against Rachel Reeves's fuel tax
Protesters are preparing to descend on Westminster to protest Rachel Reeves's fuel tax this morning.
Whipped up by Reform UK's top brass, the party's economic spokesman, Robert Jenrick, has taken aim at the rising gas prices taking a toll on Britons' budgets.
He said: "As fuel prices have shot up, the Chancellor has been raking it in. Spain, Canada, Germany, Ireland have all cut taxes on fuel. But Rachel Reeves? She’s done nothing."
Since 2011, fuel duty had been frozen, and was later slashed by 5p after Russia illegally invaded Ukraine.
But now, at the last Budget, Ms Reeves said the 5p cut would be returned between September 2026 and March 2027.
WATCH: Labour minister admits she feels 'quite tired' of leadership rumours
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has admitted she feels "quite tired" of leadership plots flooding Westminster.
Asked whether she would prefer Andy Burnham or Angela Rayner as her party leader, Emma Reynolds told GB News: "I would rather retain our current Prime Minister.
"He won a clear mandate from the British people in July 2024, not even two years ago, to change this country for the better, to improve public services, to help people with the cost of living.
"I do get quite tired, frankly, of this constant leadership speculation.
"We are in the process of going to the country in the local elections and in important elections in Scotland and Wales, and I want to be talking to people, which is what I do week in, week out on the doorstep, about what this Government has done to help improve their lives and what Labour councils are doing to improve their high street and their local services."
Zack Polanski welcomes 'progressive' Angela Rayner or Andy Burnham while leadership rumours ramp up
The Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said that he would welcome Angela Rayner or Andy Burnham as a potential future Labour leader.
The ex-hynotherapist told Sky News: "It's no secret that Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner would be much closer to my politics than Keir Starmer is."
He said that the duo, both of whom are thought to be scheming together to overthrow their boss, care about the impact of the cost of living crisis and people in the UK.
But he added: "They're still in the Labour Party and my question would be: Why have they been so quiet while the Labour Party and the Labour government have done some pretty egregious things?"
WATCH IN FULL: Christopher Hope grills Shadow Defence Secretary over Tories' history of sleaze scandals
Watch the moment Christopher Hope grilled the Shadow Defence Secretary over the Tories' history of sleaze scandals.
While James Cartlidge, joining GB News this morning, laid into Labour as MPs threaten Sir Keir Starmer with a sleaze probe over appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK's Ambassador to the US, the GB News presenter stopped him in his tracks.
WATCH ABOVE FOR MORE.
Any Labour leadership race 'won't happen particularly quickly', top Tory tells GB News
Any future Labour leadership race "won't happen particularly quickly", a top Tory has told GB News.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge condemned the "deeply distracted and deeply divided" state of the governing party amid leadership rumours swirling around Westminster.
"I think that this isn't good for the country at a time when we need strong leadership," Mr Cartlidge told GB News.
"We're just not getting that (strength). It's understandable there's now a lot of attention on who comes next.
"If indeed the Prime Minister is going to go, my suspicion is that this will not happen particularly quickly," he forecast.
"But let's see what what matters from our point of view is that the Government actually grips the challenges the country is facing at home and abroad."
Kemi Badenoch accuses 'vindictive' Keir Starmer of 'obsession with lawfare' ahead of key Commons vote TODAY
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Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of having an "obsession with lawfare" in the face of an upcoming key Commons vote today.
The Tory leader has regularly hit out at the Prime Minister for his "vindictive" plan to take veterans through the courts in its Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
Mrs Badenoch slammed the Prime Minister for "hounding our veterans through the courts like criminals", writing for the Daily Mail.
She said: "Today in Parliament, Labour MPs have a choice. They can support Starmer’s vindictive plan to pursue our brave veterans through the courts.
"Or, they can decide that they’ve finally had enough of blindly following the orders of a PM who keeps letting them, and the country, down."
Labour urged to cut welfare spending to accelerate growth, data shows
Labour has been encouraged to cut welfare spending to accelerate growth, a new report revealed today.
Britons scattered across the political spectrum, of all ages and from all regions, have agreed that the Government must slice funding to save the UK's economic prospects.
The report, commissioned by the 2030 Prosperity Alliance, polled around 3,000 people.