Sir Keir Starmer is facing a grilling from MPs after avoiding an inquiry into claims he misled Parliament over the Peter Mandelson vetting saga.
By 112 votes, 335 to 223, Labour used its parliamentary majority on Tuesday to block a “sleaze” inquiry by the powerful Commons Privileges Committee into whether the prime minister misled parliament about the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to Washington.
Kemi Badenoch had accused Sir Keir of misleading the Commons when he claimed due process was followed and no pressure was exerted to grant Lord Mandelson security clearance against official advice.
Following the vote, Mrs Badenoch said Labour MPs were complicit in a “cover-up”, adding that they would “rue the day” they voted against an inquiry.
The result meant Sir Keir appears to be over the worst of a scandal that has rocked the foundations of his premiership, but he is likely to field questions on the matter in what is the final PMQs before parliament is prorogued, ahead of the start of a new session on 13 May.
Read MoreStarmer escapes sleaze inquiry after ex-top aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
One more time, Mr McSweeney comes to Sir Keir Starmer’s aid
Full list of Labour MPs who rebelled against government in vote on Mandelson appointment
Starmer survives crucial vote – but at a cost to his MPs and parliament
Key Points
- Starmer escapes sleaze inquiry after ex-top aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
- Analysis: Starmer's attempt to coax Rayner back to Cabinet is a last ditch attempt to save himself
- The full list of Labour MPs who voted for the motion
- Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
- MP says it was 'wrong' to order backbenchers to oppose the investigation
PM reduced to 'begging those MPs to save his skin', Badenoch says
12:05 , Dan HaygarthKemi Badenoch begins by taking aim at the prime minister, who yesterday dodged an inquiry into claims he misled Parliament over the Peter Mandelson vetting saga.
By 112 votes, 335 to 223, Labour used its parliamentary majority on Tuesday to block a “sleaze” inquiry by the powerful Commons Privileges Committee into whether the prime minister misled parliament about the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to Washington.
The Tory leader said the prime minister has been “reduced” to calling on his own MPs to “save his skin”.
PMQs begins
12:03 , Dan HaygarthThe prime minister is taking questions from MPs.
Emily Thornberry among those with questions for Starmer today
11:55 , Dan HaygarthDame Emily Thornberry is chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman, which has heard evidence relating to the Mandelson vetting saga this week.
‘Young people should be represented by someone their own age’: Meet the youngsters vying for local council seats
11:45 , Dan HaygarthYoung people lacking representation in local government are fighting to be recognised.
Harriette Boucher spoke to young candidates running in the May elections about why their voices are needed in politics.
Read the feature below:
Meet the twentysomethings vying for council seats at the local elections
Starmer heads from Downing Street to PMQs
11:34 , Dan Haygarth
Parliament to prorogue on Wednesday following Prime Minister’s Questions
11:31 , Dan HaygarthParliament will prorogue on Wednesday, the Lords chief whip has confirmed, after remaining draft laws were agreed by both Houses.
The Government had reportedly hoped to prorogue before Wednesday to avoid another Prime Minister’s Questions in this parliamentary session.
However, with prorogation set for 1.15pm, the weekly back-and-forth between Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will go ahead.
Prorogation marks the end of a parliamentary session and places a deadline on the Government’s legislative agenda, with any Bills needing to be rubber stamped beforehand to be placed on the statute book.
The Hillsborough law and the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill are among the unfinished legislation which will continue to progress in the next session, after the Commons agreed carry-over motions this week.
Full story: Housing secretary rules out rent freeze amid Iran war – despite chancellor’s hints at helping tenants
11:07 , Dan HaygarthHousing Secretary Steve Reed has unequivocally dismissed the prospect of introducing rent controls, despite recent hints from Rachel Reeves that help could be on the way for tenants.
Mr Reed said that he is “crystal clear” the government is “not doing” a rent freeze for private tenants.
His firm rejection follows reports that the chancellor had declined to rule out the measure on Tuesday.
Read more:
Housing secretary rules out rent freeze amid Iran war
No punishment so far for rebel Labour MPs
10:49 , David MaddoxQuestions are being asked over whether Keir Starmer has lost his authority after 15 Labour MPs who rebelled on Tuesday night were not suspended from the parliamentary party.
The MPs mostly from the leftwing Socialist Campaign Group voted in favour of Sir Keir to be investigated by the Privileges Committee over allegations he misled Parliament.
This was despite a three line whip ordering MPs to back the PM.
But one rebel told The Independent: "We haven’t been contacted. My guess is they may just want to move on."
They added: "I think it would elongate a damaging story / focus for them and 'Starmer punishes MPs for saying he should answer questions' isn’t a good look for a man who says he has nothing to hide."
However, it has been noted that with previous rebellions on two child benefits and welfare reform Sir Keir has moved swiftly to suspend rebels from the parliamentary party.
Analysis: Starmer survives crucial vote – but at a cost to his MPs and parliament
10:39 , Dan HaygarthPolitical editor David Maddox explains that while the prime minister may have escaped a sleaze inquiry, the impact of what happened in the Commons on Tuesday will be felt for a long time to come.
Read below.
Starmer survives crucial vote – but at a cost to his MPs and parliament
Housing Secretary rules out rent freeze after Reeves’s hint
09:36 , Dan HaygarthSteve Reed has ruled out introducing rent controls after Rachel Reeves appeared to hint at help for tenants to ease the cost of living,
The housing secretary said he is “crystal clear” the Government is “not doing” a freeze for private tenants, despite the Chancellor declining to reject the idea on Tuesday.
He rejected suggestions the Government had been ambiguous about its stance on the prospect of rent controls to avoid losing voters to the Greens, who have made the measure a flagship policy.
Asked whether Ms Reeves had left the door open to a freeze as part of a ploy to dampen the threat from Zack Polanski’s party in the May elections, Mr Reed told Times Radio: “No. I think I’ve just been crystal clear, we’re not doing it.”
The Guardian reported earlier this week that the Chancellor was considering a one-year freeze to help ease the cost-of-living burden caused by the Iran war.
Asked to “examine the case for a fixed-term rent freeze” by Labour MP Yuan Yang in the Commons, Ms Reeves said on Tuesday: “This Government have already taken action to reduce the cost of living and to bear down on inflation with the changes around energy prices, around fuel duty, prescription charges and rail fares.
“I will do everything in my power and use every lever we have to bear down on the cost of living, including for people in the private rented sector.”
Asked about his Cabinet colleague’s remarks, Mr Reed said: “You’d need to ask her about the particular language she may have used but she was probably referring, I would guess, without having been there, to the fact that we’re changing the law to give renters additional rights… the biggest increase in rights for renters in a generation.”
Full story: Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
09:06 , Dan HaygarthBritain’s ambassador to Washington said Sir Keir Starmer was “on the ropes” amid the fallout over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and suggested Labour could “remove” him after next month’s local elections, according to reports.
In what will be seen as highly outspoken comments for a career diplomat, a leaked recording released as King Charles visits the US appears to show Sir Christian Turner saying that Lord Peter Mandelson and “potentially the prime minister” had been “brought down” by the affair.
Sir Christian, who replaced Lord Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US after the latter was sacked over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, also criticised America’s political system, saying it was “extraordinary” that the scandal “hasn’t touched anybody” on the other side of the Atlantic.
He also said that America’s only “special relationship” – which has been under significant strain for months – was with “probably Israel”, not the UK.
Read more:
Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
Editorial: One more time, Mr McSweeney comes to Sir Keir Starmer’s aid
08:31 , Dan HaygarthParliament can sometimes be an illuminating place. The latest testimony on the Mandelson scandal to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has revealed that the legendary figure of Morgan McSweeney – the man credited by Sir Keir Starmer with rebuilding the Labour Party, and who, mostly unseen and unheard, was assumed to be a cross between Stalin’s sinister KGB henchman Lavrentiy Beria and the wildman Begbie in Trainspotting – is, in fact, a mild-mannered, soft-spoken and thoughtful individual.
It had been supposed that it was the prime minister’s former chief of staff who had pushed for his old comrade Peter Mandelson to be made ambassador to Washington at all costs. It turns out, in the McSweeney version, that not only was Lord Mandelson not his “mentor”, but a mere adviser, and that he too had been betrayed by him, not told the truth about the Epstein connection, and taken for a fool. He took responsibility for the blunder and resigned, but he was also careful enough to make clear that it was, of course, the prime minister’s decision to give him the job… Et tu, McSweeney?
Continue reading:
One more time, Mr McSweeney comes to Sir Keir Starmer’s aid
What to expect from PMQs
08:11 , Dan HaygarthWednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions will be the last before Parliament is suspended, or “prorogued”, ahead of the start of a new session on May 13.
The weekly grilling is likely to see Sir Keir face further questions from the Conservatives about Lord Peter Mandelson, following a day when Labour MPs were whipped to oppose a Tory motion calling for the prime minister to be investigated over his insistence that due process was followed in the peer’s appointment as ambassador to the US.
The motion from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch would have seen Sir Keir referred to the Commons Privileges Committee in an echo of the process that eventually ended Boris Johnson’s political career.
Mrs Badenoch has accused the Prime Minister of misleading the Commons when he claimed due process was followed and no pressure was exerted to grant Lord Mandelson security clearance against official advice.
But despite a rebellion by 15 backbenchers, Labour MPs voted decisively against launching an investigation by a majority of 112 – slightly less than the Government’s working majority of 165.
Following the vote, Mrs Badenoch accused Labour MPs of being complicit in a “cover-up”, saying they would “rue the day” they voted against an inquiry.
Housing secretary dismisses claims that Labour MPs will be accused of cover up
08:05 , Millie CookeHousing secretary Steve Reed has dismissed suggestions that Labour colleagues will be accused of a cover-up over the Lord Mandelson vetting row, after defeating a bid to launch an inquiry into claims the prime minister misled Parliament over the scandal.
Asked whether he was bothered by a claim from the back benches that the party would face smears about a “cover-up” if MPs were whipped to reject a call for a parliamentary investigation into Sir Keir Starmer’s remarks to Parliament, Mr Reed told Times Radio: “No, because there’s more scrutiny on this issue than almost any issue I can think of.”
Asked whether the 15 Labour MPs who voted in favour of the Commons motion on Tuesday would lose the whip, he said: “There was a handful of usual suspects who did what they tend to do. I’m not in charge of discipline, I’m not too bothered about them to be honest.”
Housing secretary refuses to say whether rebel Labour MPs will lose whip
07:54 , Millie Cooke
Labour backbenchers who “don’t play the team game with the rest of us” are “not going to distract” the government, the housing secretary has insisted, refusing to say whether MPs who rebelled in Tuesday’s Commons vote would lose the whip, or whether he would support that move.
Steve Reed told Sky News: “You’ve got a handful of usual suspects that will repeatedly vote against the Government. They’re not going to distract us.
“You know, we’ve got the renters’ rights reforms coming in this Friday, which gives renters, people who rent their home, the biggest increase in protections and rights that we’ve had for a generation.
“That is what voters want us to focus on, not a handful of people that go off and don’t play the team game with the rest of us.
Ninety-nine percent of us are united with the Prime Minister so that we can focus on the issues that matter.”
Analysis: Starmer's attempt to coax Rayner back to Cabinet is a last ditch attempt to save himself
07:51 , Millie CookeSir Keir Starmer has reportedly offered Rayner a spot back in the Cabinet as part of a planned reshuffle following what is expected to be a disastrous set of results at the local elections.
What might previously have been seen as a gamble (the former deputy PM was, for a while, seen as somewhat of a liability as a result of her chequered tax affairs) is now a last ditch attempt to save himself at a time of maximum peril for the beleaguered prime minister.
Rayner is widely perceived to be one of the main options to replace Starmer, alongside Wes Streeting (and maybe even Ed Miliband). She is deeply respected within Labour, especially among the left wing MPs who are such a thorn in Starmer’s side. If the PM could persuade his former deputy to return to Cabinet, not only could it shore up his position with the left, it would also signal a vote of confidence and loyalty to Starmer’s ailing government from Rayner.
But it will be hard to persuade her to return to what is widely seen to be a sinking ship. And even if he does manage it, the ship may continue to sink anyway.
Watch: MP questions if No.10 ignored The Independent report on Peter Mandelson
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Who were the 15 Labour MPs who voted for the motion ?
06:00 , Becky WhittakerThere were 15 Labour MPs who went against the three-line whip and voted to subject the PM to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, was among the MPs to disobey orders to reject the motion to refer Sir Keir to the Privileges Committee.
She was joined in the aye lobby by her party colleagues Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East), Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre), Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Grahame Morris (Easington), and Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham).
However, Ms Smith also voted against the motion, which could indicate a formal abstention.
Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), Richard Burgon (Leeds East), Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby), Imran Hussain (Bradford East), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornby East), John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) voted in support of the motion.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East), who recently lost the Labour whip, also voted in favour of the motion.
Overall MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
'Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion,' Badenoch says
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MPs will “rue the day” they voted against referring Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee, Kemi Badenoch has said.
The Conservative leader said: “To save his own skin, Keir Starmer threatened his MPs with the loss of their jobs unless they helped cover up his misleading statements to Parliament. It is a disgrace that 333 Labour MPs chose to be complicit in that cover up.
“It is very notable that the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister would not repeat his boss’s claim that there “was no pressure whatsoever” from No 10 on the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
“This is a government coming apart at the seams. They are more interested in their own survival than the cost of living crisis affecting hardworking families.
“Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion, because it is the day that people saw they believe there’s one rule for Labour and another for everyone else.”
Watch: Starmer sees off Tory calls for inquiry into Mandelson affair
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerConservatives accused of a 'desperate political stunt'
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerDowning Street accused the Conservatives of resorting to a “desperate political stunt” after MPs rejected a bid to launch an inquiry into whether Sir Keir Starmer misled the Commons over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: “This Labour Government is delivering for Britain including bringing down energy bills, cutting hospital waiting lists and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
“The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.
“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”
Recap: Parliamentary committee finishes going through Mandelson files
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerParliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has finished reviewing the Government’s proposed redactions to documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador ahead of publication.
In a statement, committee chairman Lord Beamish said the ISC had “now reviewed all documents which the Government has referred to it, including those provided to it just 24 hours ago, and reached a decision on the redactions which the Government had requested on the basis that it deemed the information was prejudicial to UK national security or international relations”.
He added that some documents had not yet been provided “because they are subject to the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police” into allegations against Lord Mandelson of misconduct in public office.
Lord Beamish said the Government could still contest any decision on redactions, which would be dealt with at a committee hearing after the state opening of Parliament next month.
He added: “There will be no further process and Government must then publish the documents as directed by the committee.
“The Committee will continue to keep Parliament informed of its work to discharge the responsibilities given to it by Parliament under the Humble Address.
“The Committee has made exceptional efforts to ensure that it is not holding up the publication of documents and we wish to make very clear that any delay in Government responding to the Humble Address is in no way due to the Committee’s part in the process.”
Starmer escapes sleaze inquiry after ex-top aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Keir Starmer is in the clear over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal after his former political aide took the blame for his appointment on another turbulent day in parliament.
By a majority of 112 votes, 335 to 223, Labour used its majority to block a “sleaze” inquiry by the powerful Commons Privileges Committee into whether the prime minister misled parliament. It means Sir Keir appears to be over the worst of a scandal that has rocked the foundations of his premiership.
Read more here:
Starmer in the clear after former aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
Editorial: One more time, Mr McSweeney comes to Sir Keir Starmer’s aid
Wednesday 29 April 2026 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAs the evidence given by the former Downing Street chief of staff makes clear, the way the prime minister has treated parliament throughout the Mandelson saga is one of the few things that has gone right with it. Sir Keir has no case to answer.
Read more here:
One more time, Mr McSweeney comes to Sir Keir Starmer’s aid
Watch: King Charles hails 'irreplaceable and unbreakable' bond between US and UK
Tuesday 28 April 2026 23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerKing acknowledged victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal
Tuesday 28 April 2026 22:30 , Becky WhittakerThe King has acknowledged victims of sexual abuse in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal highlighting in a speech to Congress the “collective strength” of the UK and US to support survivors.
“In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today,” King Charles said in the historic address to a joint session of the US Congress this afternoon.
There have been repeated calls by the family of Virginia Giuffre, a victim of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, for a meeting with the King and Queen, but sources have previously said the couple will not meet them.
The legal implications of Charles and Camilla coming into contact with any survivors of paedophile financier Epstein, and the King’s constitutional position, make a meeting impossible while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.
Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
Tuesday 28 April 2026 22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerBritain’s ambassador to Washington said Sir Keir Starmer was “on the ropes” amid the fallout over the appointment of Peter Mandelson and suggested Labour could “remove” him after next month’s local elections, according to reports.
In what will be seen as highly outspoken comments for a career diplomat, a leaked recording released as King Charles visits the US appears to show Sir Christian Turner saying that Lord Peter Mandelson and “potentially the prime minister” had been “brought down” by the affair.
Read more here by Kate Devlin The Independent’s Whitehall Editor:
Starmer’s premiership ‘on the ropes’, says US ambassador in leaked recording
Recap: Who were the 15 Labour MPs who voted for the motion
Tuesday 28 April 2026 21:30 , Rebecca WhittakerThere were 15 Labour MPs who went against the three-line whip and voted to subject the PM to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, was among the MPs to disobey orders to reject the motion to refer Sir Keir to the Privileges Committee.
She was joined in the aye lobby by her party colleagues Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East), Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre), Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Grahame Morris (Easington), and Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham).
However, Ms Smith also voted against the motion, which could indicate a formal abstention.
Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), Richard Burgon (Leeds East), Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby), Imran Hussain (Bradford East), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornby East), John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) voted in support of the motion.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East), who recently lost the Labour whip, also voted in favour of the motion.
Overall MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
The King defends NATO and Royal Navy
Tuesday 28 April 2026 21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe King has issued an appeal to Donald Trump to end the war in Iran as he attempted to heal the rift between the US president and Sir Keir Starmer.
King Charles III referred to his “immense pride” at serving in the Royal Navy and stressed the importance of the UK- US alliance as well as NATO in the historic address to a joint session of the US Congress this afternoon.
The monarch said: “The challenges we face are too great for any one Nation to bear alone.
“But in this unpredictable environment, our Alliance cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that foundational principles simply endure. Renewal today starts with security.”
He added: “From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice-caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other’s defence, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries,” the King said.
Watch: Starmer sees off Tory calls for inquiry into Mandelson affair
Tuesday 28 April 2026 20:40 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Parliamentary committee finishes going through Mandelson files
Tuesday 28 April 2026 20:20 , Rebecca WhittakerParliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has finished reviewing the Government’s proposed redactions to documents relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador ahead of publication.
In a statement, committee chairman Lord Beamish said the ISC had “now reviewed all documents which the Government has referred to it, including those provided to it just 24 hours ago, and reached a decision on the redactions which the Government had requested on the basis that it deemed the information was prejudicial to UK national security or international relations”.
He added that some documents had not yet been provided “because they are subject to the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police” into allegations against Lord Mandelson of misconduct in public office.
Lord Beamish said the Government could still contest any decision on redactions, which would be dealt with at a committee hearing after the state opening of Parliament next month.
He added: “There will be no further process and Government must then publish the documents as directed by the committee.
“The Committee will continue to keep Parliament informed of its work to discharge the responsibilities given to it by Parliament under the Humble Address.
“The Committee has made exceptional efforts to ensure that it is not holding up the publication of documents and we wish to make very clear that any delay in Government responding to the Humble Address is in no way due to the Committee’s part in the process.”
Watch: Starmer survives another day as former aide takes blame for Mandelson vetting scandal
Tuesday 28 April 2026 20:00 , Rebecca Whittaker'Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion,' Badenoch says
Tuesday 28 April 2026 19:45 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MPs will “rue the day” they voted against referring Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee, Kemi Badenoch has said.
The Conservative leader said: “To save his own skin, Keir Starmer threatened his MPs with the loss of their jobs unless they helped cover up his misleading statements to Parliament. It is a disgrace that 333 Labour MPs chose to be complicit in that cover up.
“It is very notable that the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister would not repeat his boss’s claim that there “was no pressure whatsoever” from No 10 on the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
“This is a government coming apart at the seams. They are more interested in their own survival than the cost of living crisis affecting hardworking families.
“Labour MPs will rue the day that they voted against this motion, because it is the day that people saw they believe there’s one rule for Labour and another for everyone else.”
MP says it was 'wrong' to order backbenchers to oppose the investigation
Tuesday 28 April 2026 19:30 , Rebecca WhittakerA Labour MP has said it was “wrong” to order backbenchers to oppose an attempt to launch an investigation into Sir Keir Starmer over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Emma Lewell argued the Government’s handling of the privileges motion suggests to the public there is something to hide, and she “can’t understand” why the Prime Minister would not agree to it.
Ms Lewell was joined by a series of Labour colleagues in saying they believed Sir Keir should report himself to the Privileges Committee.
Ministers dismissed the move brought forward by opposition parties as a “political stunt” ahead of May’s elections.
Conservatives accused of a 'desperate political stunt'
Tuesday 28 April 2026 19:15 , Rebecca WhittakerDowning Street accused the Conservatives of resorting to a “desperate political stunt” after MPs rejected a bid to launch an inquiry into whether Sir Keir Starmer misled the Commons over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: “This Labour Government is delivering for Britain including bringing down energy bills, cutting hospital waiting lists and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
“The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.
“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”
The 15 Labour MPs who voted for the motion
Tuesday 28 April 2026 19:05 , Becky WhittakerThere were 15 Labour MPs who went against the three-line whip and voted to subject the PM to an investigation by the Privileges Committee.
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, was among the MPs to disobey orders to reject the motion to refer Sir Keir to the Privileges Committee.
She was joined in the aye lobby by her party colleagues Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East), Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre), Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Grahame Morris (Easington), and Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham).
However, Ms Smith also voted against the motion, which could indicate a formal abstention.
Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), Richard Burgon (Leeds East), Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby), Imran Hussain (Bradford East), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornby East), John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) voted in support of the motion.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East), who recently lost the Labour whip, also voted in favour of the motion.
Overall MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
Watch: Starmer sees off Tory calls for inquiry into Mandelson affair
Tuesday 28 April 2026 19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerLiberal Democrat Leader said Starmer was 'cowardly' for ducking Privileges Committee investigation
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:50 , Rebecca WhittakerSir Ed Davey called the Prime Minister “cowardly” after he ordered Labour MPs to vote against referring him to the Privileges Committee.
Responding to the Privileges Committee vote, the Liberal Democrat Leader said: “Starmer has ducked the scrutiny he should have faced by forcing Labour MPs to defend him. What a cowardly way to govern.
“If he truly felt his conduct over the Mandelson scandal was up to scratch he should have undergone investigation by the Privileges Committee.
“The Liberal Democrats will always stand up for decency and honesty in politics – unlike this Prime Minister.”
Shouting 'shame' during a vote 'will not be tolerated', Commons speaker says
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:45 , Rebecca WhittakerMPs voting on whether to refer Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee were heckled as they did so, Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said.
Speaking after giving the voting figures, Sir Lindsay said: “Can I just say, a member of Parliament has been to complain to me, and another member.
“When other members are shouting ‘shame’ when they’re voting, it is not acceptable and it will not be tolerated.”
He urged those responsible to apologise to those they had shouted at.
Downing Street reacts to vote blocking inquiry into Starmer
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:39 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
A No10 spokesperson said: “This Labour government is delivering for Britain including bringing down energy bills, cutting hospital waiting lists and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
“The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.
“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”
Starmer gets through parliament vote to block inquiry
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:36 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
Labour has used its massive majority to vote down the motion for an inquiry by the Privileges Committee into whether Keir Starmer misled parliament.
Sir Keir escaped an inquiry with a vote of 335 to 223 against the motion.
But a number of Labour MPs abstained and voted with Opposition parties to support an inquiry.
Sir Keir took the unusual step of ordering a three line whip to force Labour MPs to support the prime minister and avoid an investigation.
Starmer survives crucial vote – but at a cost to his MPs and parliament
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:35 , Rebecca Whittaker Starmer survives crucial vote – but at a cost to his MPs and parliament
Watch: MP questions if No.10 ignored The Independent report on Peter Mandelson
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:30 , Rebecca WhittakerMPs have rejected the motion
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:30 , Rebecca WhittakerMPs have rejected a motion calling for an inquiry over claims Sir Keir Starmer misled the House over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
MPs voted 335-223 against the motion, meaning the government won by a majority of 112.
Darren Jones refuses to answer why Government would not whip its MPs to vote against Starmer
Tuesday 28 April 2026 18:25 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, refused to say whether the Government would not whip its MPs to vote against referring Sir Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee over his comments in the Commons on the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Mr Jones was asked by Independent MP Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr) whether given his confidence, the minister would “support the withdrawal of the whip against backbenchers”.
“I’m not going to answer silly questions,” Mr Jones replied.
He defended the Prime Minister and said the whole Government “recognises the need for transparency”. He said evidence from Catherine Little, Sir Chris Wormald and Sir Olly had all showed that due process had been followed.
Mr Jones added: “In recent weeks some have accused the Prime Minister of dishonesty, saying there was no way that Foreign Office officials would have given Peter Mandelson clearance against the vetting agency’s recommendation, let alone without checking with the Prime Minister.
He said: “The testimony provided by Sir Olly Robbins has disproved those accusations without any question. So rather than focus on the issues affecting our constituents and the country, what do the opposition benches do? They try to shift the goal posts, and have tried again and again to make their arguments fit.
“Today alone we have heard members of the opposition bounce from one accusation to another in a desperate search for something that will stick, and we have been subjected to the ranting incoherence of the leadership of the opposition.”
Listen to In The Room, The Independent's politics podcast
Tuesday 28 April 2026 12:33 , Dan HaygarthTwo former Westminster insiders reveal how politics and power really work.
Ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors at No 10? Or who’s the first person on the phone when a prime minister lands themselves in hot water?
Each week former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson, former political advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, dissect the week’s biggest news, revealing how decisions get made, why they go wrong, and what should happen next.
In The Room is straight-talking, insider analysis with a dose of humour, every Friday.
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