Starmer sees off inquiry call - but he doesn't escape unscathed
Keir Starmer survived a parliamentary vote calling for an inquiry into his statements about Lord Mandelson's US ambassador appointment, winning with a clear majority, but 14 Labour MPs defied the whip, revealing internal discontent. The government deployed significant political efforts to secure loyalty, including high-level interventions and recalling MPs from campaigns. Despite the victory, frustration persists within Labour over the ongoing controversy distracting from broader priorities. Starmer avoided formal investigation but faces eroding authority on the issue.
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Starmer sees off inquiry call - but he doesn't escape unscathed43 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAlex ForsythPolitical correspondentGetty ImagesThere can be moments of high jeopardy in Parliament when Westminster holds its breath to await the outcome of a crucial debate that could determine a government's future.In the end this didn't feel like one of them, but that doesn't mean Sir Keir Starmer has escaped unscathed.Ultimately he won the vote pretty comfortably with a clear majority of MPs rejecting the idea that he should be referred to a parliamentary committee for investigation over his statements about Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.But beyond the headline win, this was not a victorious moment.Key points as MPs question ex-senior aide about Mandelson…
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