Embattled Starmer hits out at his opponents over Mandelson vetting row

• Sir Keir Starmer has accused his political opponents of launching a smear campaign and making politically motivated allegations regarding the Mandelson vetting scandal.
• Starmer stated he was exonerated from accusations of misleading MPs by evidence from sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins, dismissing the claims as 'completely wrong' and politically motivated.
• Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is reportedly pressing for Starmer's referral to the Privileges Committee over claims he misled MPs.
• Cat Little, the Cabinet Office permanent secretary, informed MPs that Sir Olly Robbins would not share vetting documents concerning Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
• Little confirmed she had multiple discussions with Sir Olly in an attempt to obtain information for a humble address about the peer's Washington role.

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Starmer-Mandelson latest: PM accuses opponents of smear campaign after reports of cabinet rift over vetting row