Andy Burnham has called for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to withdraw his comments after the billionaire Manchester United co-owner suggested that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.
The businessman, who has been living in tax-free Monaco since 2020 and is founder and chair of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, said that immigration is “costing too much money” due to the number of people “on benefits”.
He told Sky News on Wednesday evening: “You can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.
“I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants."
The prime minister responded with a statement on X, saying: “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”
The Greater Manchester mayor added pressure on Sir Jim, saying: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races and faiths have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions – including Manchester United FC.
“Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing, portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory and should be withdrawn.”
Read MoreAs Tim Allan quits No 10, will Keir Starmer be the last man standing?
Sadiq Khan says his ‘ultimate goal’ is to reverse Brexit
Will Starmer resign as prime minister and who could replace him?
Key Points
- Burnham says Ratcliffe's comments 'go against everything' that Manchester stands for
- ‘Hypocritical’ Ratcliffe's language is ‘ugly’ and ‘frankly wrong’, says minister
- Starmer urged to appoint a woman as first secretary of state to tackle misogyny
- Furious women MPs turn on Starmer over ‘boys’ club’ scandals
- Foreign Office still cannot say when Mandelson left government employment
Ratcliffe made ‘mistake’ with immigration comments, says Swinney
10:28 , Dan HaygarthScotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “I disagree fundamentally with Jim Ratcliffe about these comments – I think the United Kingdom and Scotland have benefitted from migration.
“People have come to live here, to contribute to our economy, and they are welcome.
“Scotland faces particular challenges about the size of our working-age population, so we need to attract a larger working-age population.
“Morally and philosophically, I disagree with Jim Ratcliffe, and economically I disagree with him, because migration helps to boost our economy, and that’s a good thing for our country.”
Starmer ‘knew ex-comms chief Lord Doyle supported paedophile councillor’
10:22 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer nominated a former aide for a peerage despite being told he had “been supportive” of a councillor who had been accused of child sex offences, his ex-communications chief has claimed.
The prime minister is facing continued questions over his judgement over his decision to appoint his former spin doctor Matthew Doyle to the House of Lords after he campaigned for a councillor who had been charged with having indecent images of children.
The prime minister said on Wednesday that Lord Doyle, who has now apologised and had the Labour whip removed, had failed to give a “full account of his actions” when he was granted a peerage, and had not disclosed he had campaigned for the Sean Morton in 2017.
However, Tim Allan, who quit as the communications chief in No 10 this week, said that Lord Doyle had confirmed he believed Morton before his conviction and had been “supportive” during that time.
Read the full article: Starmer ‘knew ex-comms chief Lord Doyle supported paedophile councillor’
Mandelson scandal sees new push to clean up Lords and UK democracy
10:14 , Dan HaygarthPolitical Editor David Maddox reports:
The prime minister is set to receive a letter of demands from the Anti Corruption Coalition pushing for an overhaul of the House of Lords and lobbying rules in the wake of the Peter Mandelson scandal.
The signatories note that despite resigning from the upper chamber over his links with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Mandelson can still use the title “Lord”.
They warn: “The government must now move decisively from commitments to concrete reforms that clean up corruption throughout our system and restore trust in politics.”
Demands include: reforming the process of appointments to the Lords; ban peers from being lobbyists; and greater transparency over their financial interests.
One issue is that Mandelson was using his position to boost his Global Counsel lobbying company. This included having Palantir as a client with questions being raised over a £240m contract following an undiaried meeting Mandelson arranged with Sir Keir Starmer.
The letter also calls for a stricter cap on political donations, reform of access to ministers and a much more robust register for lobbyists.
Sadiq Khan makes light of Starmer’s troubles
10:00 , Dan HaygarthPolitical Editor David Maddox reports:
At a media reception in the London Transport Museum on Wednesday night, London mayor Sadiq Khan made jokes about the prime minister’s current troubles.
He jested that after the disgraced former Labour peer Peter Mandelson was withdrawn as US ambassador because of his relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein that he had suggested he should go to Washington in his place.
“Because I already live rent free in Donald Trump’s head,” Sir Sadiq added following personal attacks on him from the US president.
Sir Sadiq has just returned from campaigning in the Gorton and Denton by-election which he visited on Monday.
Burnham's statement as pressure on Ratcliffe grows
09:42 , Dan HaygarthThe Greater Manchester Mayor criticised the Manchester United co-owner’s comments.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) February 12, 2026
'This type of language has no place in English football'
09:15 , Dan HaygarthKick It Out – the anti-discrimination football campaign group – criticised Sir Jim’s comments, including the inaccurate claim that the UK population has swelled by 12 million since 2020.
In a statement to the Press Association, Kick It Out said: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments are disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together.
“In addition to the inaccurate figures mentioned, it’s worth reminding him that Manchester United has a diverse fan base and plays in a city whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants.
“This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”
Stride criticises Ratcliffe: 'I wouldn't use that term'
09:00 , Daniel HaygarthA senior Conservative has criticised Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that the UK has been “colonised” by immigrants, but said many people have concerns around “too high” migration.
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride told the Press Association: “I wouldn’t use that term colonised. I think it’s pejorative and suggests there’s some kind of huge negativity around the motivations of those people that come here. And I don’t think that’s the case across the piece.
“But he is referencing something that is of great concern to millions of people up and down the country, that migration has been too high for too long.
“When we were in government, we were doing something about that at the tail end of the Conservative government. We’ve seen those figures coming down as a consequence of our action.
“But we do need to be very aware of the impact that migration has, particularly illegal migration, which the Government is showing no signs of being able to control.”
Starmer insists GDP figures shows the UK “economy is growing”
08:50 , Dan HaygarthThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the UK’s latest “subdued” GDP figures has shown Britain’s “economy is growing”.
Britain’s GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in the final quarter between October and December last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday.
“Job number one is easing the cost of living pressure that many people still feel,” the prime minister wrote on X.
“Today’s GDP figures show our economy is growing. That means more money back in your pocket.“I know there’s more to do, but we are heading in the right direction.”
Ratcliffe ‘got his facts wrong’ on immigration, says minister
08:32 , Daniel HaygarthThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Sir Jim Ratcliffe “got his facts wrong” on immigration, a government minister has said.
The billionaire Manchester Utd co-owner has been told to apologise for his comments on Wednesday, in which he suggested Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.
Justice minister Jake Richards said Sir Jim used statistics “which were completely wrong” when talking about immigration.
“He got his facts wrong,” he told LBC. “But it's also completely absurd to suggest we're somehow being invaded or taken over.
“It’s offensive, because many people come to this country, far from trying to take over the country, but to contribute working our NHS or in our social care system, for example.”
Burnham says Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments 'go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood'
08:29 , Dan HaygarthThe Mayor of Greater Manchester said in a statement: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC.
“Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.
“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city-region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester's NHS and other essential services and industries.
“We appreciate their contribution as a city-region famous for the warmth of our welcome. If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”
What is the first secretary of state?
08:12 , Harriette BoucherHarriet Harman has urged Keir Starmer to revive the first secretary of state, a role which has been vacant since 2022.
The labour grandee told the prime minister that a woman should be appointed to the role, which functions as a de facto deputy prime minister.
She said the appointee should be tasked with tackling misogyny and the marginalisation of women.
According to the cabinet office, the responsibilities of the role include advising the prime minister on developing and implementing policy, driving forward government business and implementation, and oversight of all cabinet office policies.
The role was previously held by Peter Mandelson under Gordon Brown.
Previous holders of the role also include Damian Green, George Osbourne, and William Hague.
‘Hypocritical’ Ratcliffe's language is ‘ugly’ and ‘frankly wrong’, says minister
07:53 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Political Reporter Athena Stavrou:
A minister has doubled down on the government’s criticism of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s suggestion that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.
The prime minister called for the billionaire Manchester Utd co-owner to apologise for his comments on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning justice minister Jake Richards told Sky News that his language was “ugly” and “frankly wrong”.
He also told Times Radio that Sir Jim was “hypocritical” to criticise the government on migration, as he has “moved to Monaco to save £4 billion in tax”.
The minister added: “But let’s just be very clear that Jim Ratcliffe’s comments yesterday both were offensive in terms of the language used, he got his facts wrong, and there’s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save £4 billion in tax is now lecturing us about immigration. There’s something that I find slightly hypocritical about that.”
Something is ‘clearly going wrong’ with government vetting processes, says minister
07:38 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Political Reporter Athena Stavrou:
The government is looking at changes to its vetting system, a minister has said as Sir Keir Starmer looks to replace Britain’s top civil servant.
On Wednesday, the former permanent secretary of the Foreign Office Sir Simon McDonald urged No 10 to do “more due diligence” when it comes to replacing the cabinet secretary.
On Thursday Justice Minister Jake Richards said he can’t comment on speculation as to who may be taking the job, but added: “In terms of this vetting process, the prime minister been very clear that something is clearly going wrong in government when it comes to vetting processes.
“We're looking at how we can change that, make that more vigorous, and I'm sure that that will include [Sir Simon McDonald’s] comments as well when we consider that.”
'Catastrophic lack of judgement': Ed Davey calls out Starmer on appointment of 'pedophile supporter'
07:10 , Harriette BoucherKeir Starmer demands apology from Sir Jim Ratcliffe over ‘offensive and wrong’ immigration comments
07:00 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer has demanded an apology from billionaire Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe after he sparked outrage on Wednesday evening by saying that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.
The businessman, who has been living in tax-free Monaco since 2020, is founder and chair of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, which was granted £120m in UK state aid to protect jobs last year.
Mr Ratcliffe said that immigration is “costing too much money” due to the number of people “on benefits” in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday.
“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” he said. “I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants."
The prime minister hit back in a statement on X on Wednesday, saying: “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”
Starmer demands apology from Sir Jim Ratcliffe over ‘offensive’ immigration comments
Keir Starmer meets King Charles for first time since Epstein files released
06:30 , Maira ButtPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, attended a special reception at Windsor Castle on Wednesday night, joining the King and Queen to honour carers across the UK.
The royal couple, alongside the Starmers, met with both paid and unpaid carers, as well as representatives from various charities, at the historic Berkshire residence.
In a printed message addressed to his guests, King Charles praised the millions of individuals dedicated to looking after loved ones nationwide.
He also acknowledged the estimated 1.6 million people employed within the adult social care sector.
Keir Starmer meets King Charles for first time since release of Epstein files
Recap: Labour rift deepens as Nandy accuses No 10 briefings of 'dripping with misogyny'
06:00 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer was asked to appoint a woman as secretary of state in a bid to end the “boys’ club” that had been exposed by recent scandals.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy added to the comments by suggesting that anonymous No 10 briefings had been “dripping with misogyny”.
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sparked controversy after claiming that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.
The prime minister demanded that the billionaire Man Utd co-owner apologise for the comments.
Starmer urged to appoint a woman as first secretary of state to tackle misogyny
05:00 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer has been urged to bring back the post of first secretary of state and appoint a woman to the role as he addressed female Labour MPs on Wednesday.
Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman suggested he revive the post, which functions as a de facto deputy prime minister, and task the appointee with tackling misogyny and the marginalisation of women.
The role was previously held by Peter Mandelson under Gordon Brown.
It comes as Sir Keir was accused of “stuffing Government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists” by Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Watch: Starmer and King appear together at Windsor for first time since Epstein file release
04:00 , Maira ButtPrime Minister Keir Starmer joined King Charles at a Windsor Castle reception to honour UK carers on Wednesday, as he weathers the worst political turmoil of his premiership.
He was accompanied by his wife Lady Victoria Starmer.
Furious women MPs turn on Starmer over ‘boys’ club’ scandals
03:00 , Maira ButtFurious female Labour MPs have called on Sir Keir Starmer to appoint a woman to a powerful new role to end the “boys’ club” culture in No 10 which has been exposed by the Mandelson and Doyle scandals that have rocked his premiership.
Harriet Harman, one of the most senior figures in the party, urged the prime minister to fill the vacant post of first secretary of state – once held by Peter Mandelson – with a female candidate as he addressed the recent chaos during a meeting of female Labour MPs and peers in Parliament.
She said the role must be held by a woman and used to “transform the political culture in government around women and girls”.
Watch: Lisa Nandy says there's been 'far too many' briefings against women in government
02:00 , Maira ButtForeign Office still cannot say when Mandelson left government employment
01:00 , Maira ButtThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
An SNP MP Stephen Gethins has asked used a parliamentary question to ask the Foreign Office when the now disgraced former US ambassador Peter Mandelson ceased his employment.
You would have thought this would be an easy question to answer.
After all, the PM, we are told, rang him up in Washington to sack him.
However, the FCDO has yet to answer the question - and is understood to be planning to do so only in due course, despite the fact that as a parliamentary question, it was due to be answered two days ago.
Mr Gethins told the Independent: “It is astonishing that weeks on from this latest crisis erupting the government still can’t answer basic questions about Mandelson’s appointment.
“Either they don’t know, which is inexcusable or they don’t want to tell us. The PM has said he will be open about his political appointment of Mandelson but this failure to answer basic questions isn’t a great start.”
Labour MP says female MPs are ‘distressed’ by Mandelson and Doyle scandals
00:01 , Maira ButtWhitehall Editor Kate Devlin:
As Starmer spoke to female Labour MPs in parliament, one told the Independent: “Women I speak to are exhausted from the culture.
“Women simply want respect and that starts with ending the culture at No10.”
She said female MPs were “distressed as we really care about our Party and believe it is a vehicle for ending misogyny and abuse.”
Cabinet secretary to quit in coming days, say reports
Wednesday 11 February 2026 23:30 , Maira ButtCabinet secretary Chris Wormald is set to depart Downing Street in the coming days, according to reports by Channel 4.
Rumours of Mr Wormald’s departures have abounded this week amid a string of other resignations including Lord Matthew Doyle and Sir Keir Starmer’s director of communications, Tim Allan.
It has been widely briefed that Mr Starmer intends to replace him with Antonia Romeo.
Dame Antonia was investigated by the Foreign Office over allegations of bullying, harassment, discrimination and misusing expenses, while serving as Consul General in New York in 2017.
Sarwar defends resignation calls and claims he was 'not part of wider attempt'
Wednesday 11 February 2026 23:00 , Maira ButtScottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he was “not part of any wider attempt” to force the prime minister to resign.
On Monday, Mr Sarwar held a press conference to call for Keir Starmer to quit.
Wes Streeting called Mr Sarwar two days before the announcement in Glasgow, and the two are said to have discussed the current political situation.
The Scottish Labour leader said Scots deserved to know if he was “willing to call out failure wherever I see it” and act differently as first minister.
“That for me is more important than any given relationship or anything that might matter to the Westminster bubble,” he added.
PM pays tribute to carers as he joins King Charles at Windsor event
Wednesday 11 February 2026 22:30 , Maira ButtPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to give UK carers “equal worth” to that given to politicians while speaking at a Windsor Castle reception hosted by the King and Queen on Wednesday.
The event marked the first time Sir Keir and the King have been seen together since millions of documents associated with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein were released by US authorities.
“I really wanted to come and say thank you, and also because I know first-hand that what carers do is incredible – it is skilled,” he told guests.
“I’ve seen my sister at work – she works with adults with Down syndrome – and I couldn’t do what she does.
“One of my missions, in a sense, is to give equal worth to those like carers who do jobs that I couldn’t do as we give to politicians and those in positions of power.”
Keir Starmer demands apology from Sir Jim Ratcliffe over ‘offensive and wrong’ immigration comments
Wednesday 11 February 2026 22:01 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer has demanded an apology from billionaire Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe after he sparked outrage on Wednesday evening by saying that Britain is being “colonised by immigrants”.
The businessman, who has been living in tax-free Monaco since 2020, is founder and chair of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, which was granted £120m in UK state aid to protect jobs last year.
Mr Ratcliffe said that immigration is “costing too much money” due to the number of people “on benefits” in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday.
“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” he said. “I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants."
The prime minister hit back in a statement on X on Wednesday, saying: “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”
Starmer demands apology from Sir Jim Ratcliffe over ‘offensive’ immigration comments
Nandy says Labour briefings 'dripping with misogyny
Wednesday 11 February 2026 21:37 , Maira ButtAnonymous briefings held by the Labour party are “dripping with misogyny”, according to culture secretary Lisa Nandy
“I think politics does often operate as a boys’ club and I don’t think that the Labour Party is immune to that,” Ms Nandy told Times Radio.
“I’ve experienced it, but all women in the Labour Party have experienced it. This culture of allowing anonymous briefings to continue, whether they come from inside the Prime Minister’s office, or our offices or anywhere else, we’ve all got a responsibility to stamp that out.
“I think if you look at the people who’ve had the most briefings against them, it’s largely been from men, anonymously, I should say, against women.”
She added: “Some of the briefings have absolutely been dripping with misogyny, you know, you hear these things about, you know, we’re lazy, we spend too much time with our kids, we don’t spend enough time with all kids – you really can’t win.
“In the end it’s designed to try to keep us down and to try and stop us from being heard.”
Starmer tells women MPs he will act on misogyny
Wednesday 11 February 2026 21:00 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer reiterated his apology for appointing Lord Peter Mandelson at a meeting of the women's Parliamentary Labour Party.
But he told them an apology "must come with action" and that he looked forward to working with them to tackle misogyny and violence against women and girls, it is understood.
He said more needed to be done to eradicate structural misogyny and achieve real cultural change, and closed his statement by saying he looked forward to joining the Women's PLP meeting again soon.
Will Starmer resign as prime minister and who could replace him?
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:30 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer is clinging on after surviving the toughest day of his premiership so far this week, when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar became the most senior Labour figure to call for him to quit.
The prime minister has been at the centre of a political storm since admitting he was aware of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein even after his conviction for child sex offences when he appointed him as US ambassador.
Figures across the political spectrum – including MPs in his own party – have been questioning the prime minister’s judgement, with some declaring “it’s over” for him.
Will Starmer resign as prime minister and who could replace him?
Gordon Brown demands Met Police launch an investigation into Andrew
Wednesday 11 February 2026 20:00 , Maira ButtGordon Brown has demanded an in-depth police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, saying he was “shocked to the core” over recent revelations in the Epstein files.
In a piece published in New Statesman, the former prime minister said: “Rape and sexual abuse in the UK should never become a second-order issue – and never on the pretext of an investigation in another jurisdiction.
“The evidence suggests some in the UK were complicit in trafficking. This demands a full inquiry.”
Mr Brown said he had asked the Met Police to re-examine their decision-making in their investigation and the subsequent reviews immediately.
“Even women who have been mentioned in the Epstein files, whose names should have been requested months ago from the US Department of Justice, do not appear to have been contacted by British investigators.
“I have been told privately that the investigations related to the former Prince Andrew did not properly check vital evidence of flights,” he said.
Furious women MPs turn on Starmer over ‘boys’ club’ scandals
Wednesday 11 February 2026 19:35 , Maira ButtFurious female Labour MPs have called on Sir Keir Starmer to appoint a woman to a powerful new role to end the “boys’ club” culture in No 10 which has been exposed by the Mandelson and Doyle scandals that have rocked his premiership.
Harriet Harman, one of the most senior figures in the party, urged the prime minister to fill the vacant post of first secretary of state – once held by Peter Mandelson – with a female candidate as he addressed the recent chaos during a meeting of female Labour MPs and peers in Parliament.
She said the role must be held by a woman and used to “transform the political culture in government around women and girls”.
Furious women MPs turn on Starmer over ‘boys’ club’ scandals
Keir Starmer joins King at Windsor Castle reception to honour UK carers
Wednesday 11 February 2026 19:20 , Maira ButtPrime Minister Keir Starmer has joined King Charles at a Windsor Castle reception to honour UK carers on Wednesday, as he weathers the worst political turmoil of his premiership.
He was joined by his wife Lady Victoria Starmer.
“My wife and I are delighted to welcome you here this evening as we celebrate and give thanks to those remarkable individuals who dedicate their lives to the care of others,” the King’s message to guests read.
“Across the United Kingdom today, there are some five million people providing unpaid care to a loved one,” he added.
“That is one in every 10 adults who, alongside the demands of their own lives, have taken upon their shoulders the sacred and selfless responsibility of caring for another human being.”
Watch: Lisa Nandy says there's been 'far too many' briefings against women in government
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:55 , Maira ButtToo many 'misogynistic' government briefings against women says Lisa Nandy
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:34 , Maira ButtCulture secretary Lisa Nandy has alleged that there have been “far too many” briefings against women in government.
“When I’ve been briefed against by people in the Prime Minister’s circle, I’ve been pretty straight with him about how unacceptable that is,” she said on Peston on Wednesday.
“I believe he is sincere in hating that culture on briefings, particularly briefings against women of which there have been far too many and it has been far too frequent and he is sincere about wanting to stamp that out.”
She added: “We need to see far less of these misogynistic briefings. We need far more women around every table where decisions are being made.”
Foreign Office still cannot say when Mandelson left government employment
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:22 , Maira ButtThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
An SNP MP Stephen Gethins has asked used a parliamentary question to ask the Foreign Office when the now disgraced former US ambassador Peter Mandelson ceased his employment.
You would have thought this would be an easy question to answer.
After all, the PM, we are told, rang him up in Washington to sack him.
However, the FCDO has yet to answer the question - and is understood to be planning to do so only in due course, despite the fact that as a parliamentary question, it was due to be answered two days ago.
Mr Gethins told the Independent: “It is astonishing that weeks on from this latest crisis erupting the government still can’t answer basic questions about Mandelson’s appointment.
“Either they don’t know, which is inexcusable or they don’t want to tell us. The PM has said he will be open about his political appointment of Mandelson but this failure to answer basic questions isn’t a great start.”
Badenoch responds to to House of Lords confirming Doyle peerage could have been stopped
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:07 , Maira ButtKemi Badenoch MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, said on Wednesday: “Keir Starmer did not care about these scandals until they threatened his premiership - all too happy to stuff the Lords with his grubby cronies.
“No matter what excuses he comes up with, the facts are clear. He appointed his former Director of Communications Matthew Doyle as a peer, knew about his association with a paedophile, had the power to act, and yet he still chose to sit on his hands. All the documents must be published. No more cover up.
“Once again Starmer’s terrible judgement is on full display. The real problem is that the country has to suffer through this man’s leadership for the next three years, unless Labour MPs grow a backbone and deal with it.”
Starmer urged to appoint a woman as first secretary of state to tackle misogyny
Wednesday 11 February 2026 17:52 , Maira ButtSir Keir Starmer has been urged to bring back the post of first secretary of state and appoint a woman to the role as he addressed female Labour MPs on Wednesday.
Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman suggested he revive the post, which functions as a de facto deputy prime minister, and task the appointee with tackling misogyny and the marginalisation of women.
The role was previously held by Peter Mandelson under Gordon Brown.
It comes as Sir Keir was accused of “stuffing Government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists” by Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Starmer urged to appoint a woman as first secretary of state to tackle misogyny
Keir Starmer, under fire from all sides, responded with anger – but no answers
Wednesday 11 February 2026 17:24 , Maira ButtKeir Starmer knew he was in for a tough time at Prime Minister’s Questions, so he tried two defences. The first was humour.
He recited the usual formula about his engagements for the day. “This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues,” he said, adding: “There have been quite a few of those this week…”
But he couldn’t keep it up, and it might have seemed in poor taste if he had – so he switched to being cross and biting back.
John Rentoul reports:
Keir Starmer, under fire from all sides, responded with anger – but no answers
We must not distract ourselves, says Powell
Wednesday 11 February 2026 17:05 , Jane DaltonDeputy Labour leader Lucy Powell said the government must now show the public "we're not distracted by ourselves", insisting Sir Keir Starmer was ending the week "much stronger than how he started it".
Asked why things had gone so wrong, Ms Powell told an LBC phone-in: "Actually I think what this week has shown... is that the vast majority of the Parliamentary Labour Party and the entire Cabinet are fully behind him and he has their full confidence."
Ms Powell said the government "do need to do things better" and that she had spoken to the Prime Minister about this a lot over the weekend, this week and before it.
She said the government needed to make sure that it was working in a more inclusive way.
Watch: 'Most gullible former director of public prosecutions in history’: Flynn attacks PM on vetting of Doyle and Mandelson
Wednesday 11 February 2026 12:53 , Harriette BoucherPMQs analysis: Starmer looked surprisingly chipper in PMQs
Wednesday 11 February 2026 12:43 , Harriette BoucherAnalysis from The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox:
Maybe the prime minister really does enjoy coming out fighting when his back is to the wall.
Keir Starmer might well have been fairly expected to be a defeated looking man after the week he has just had with an attempted coup and two scandals involving friends of paedophiles.
But instead he came out swinging and was partly helped by a surprisingly flat Kemi Badenoch who had one good soundbite in her six questions when she accused him of stuffing the Lords with friends of paedophiles.
Somehow though Sir Keir managed to get his sullen backbenchers to start cheering him again as he took swings at first the Tories as “a dying party” and then the Lib Dems for “helping bring about austerity” and finally the SNP for their former chief executive about to go on trial for allegations of corruption.
As PMQs went on he noticeably relaxed and got into his groove.
It was a performance of a man who was not going to leave his job quietly and without a fight.
Watch: Badenoch accuses PM of 'stuffing government with paedophile apologists' amid Lord Doyle row
Wednesday 11 February 2026 12:29 , Harriette BoucherStarmer admits Lord Doyle 'did not give a full account of his actions'
Wednesday 11 February 2026 12:24 , Harriette BoucherFor the first time, Keir Starmer said his former communications chief Lord Matthew Doyle “did not give a full account of his actions” when he was given a peerage despite his ties to a paedophile councillor.
The prime minister elevated Lord Doyle to the House of Lords in December, with the Sunday Times reporting later that month that No10 had investigated Lord Doyle's continued support for Sean Morton after he was charged with indecent child image offences.
Earlier today, education minister Georgia Gould said Downing Street did not know about the relationship before he was made peer.
PMQs analysis: Rattled Starmer makes the best of a bad situation
Wednesday 11 February 2026 12:21 , Harriette BoucherAnalysis from Political Editor David Maddox:
Kemi Badenoch had plenty to shoot out in PMQs with a weakened prime minister Keir Starmer desperately holding on to power.
Not only the Mandelson scandal but also now the appointment of another friend of a paedophile Matthew Doyle to the House of Lords.
Sir Keir decided that the only way to deal with an indefensible position was to come out swinging and attacking the Tories as a “dying party”.
He wanted to talk about Tory defectors to Reform not Labour politicians knee deep in scandal.
Not satisfied with that, his response to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey that his party was responsible for austerity.
He then reminded the SNP’s Westminster leader that his party’s former chief executive is about to go on trial for alleged corruption.
While the responses sound hollow, and the PM looks angry and uncomfortable the tactics have at least got his own Labour MPs cheering behind him and shown a man not willing to bow out without a fight.
Badenoch accuses Starmer of ‘stuffing government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists’
Wednesday 11 February 2026 12:19 , Harriette BoucherMillie Cooke reports:
Kemi Badenoch has launched a brutal attack on Sir Keir Starmer’s record in government, accusing him of “only caring about victims when he is trying to save his own skin” and “stuffing government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists”.
Seizing on the chaos in Labour, the Tory leader said: “The prime minister sometimes likes to claim that he cares about violence against women. The truth is that he only cares about victims when he is trying to save his own skin.
“We saw it with grooming gangs, we saw it with Mandelson. And now we see it with Doyle. Isn’t that what a former prosecutor would call an established pattern of behaviour?”
Hitting back, Sir Keir said: “I’m going to take no lectures from the Tories about standards in public life. She defended Partygate for months and months and months.”
But Mrs Badenoch retorted: “Nobody buys it… not even the Labour women, because they know he always puts the Downing Street boys club first.
“And how dare he criticise us. We weren’t the one stuffing government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists.”
Starmer 'stuffing government with hypocrites and paedophile apologists', says Badenoch
Wednesday 11 February 2026 12:14 , Harriette BoucherBadenoch criticises Starmer for “stuffing” his government with “hypocrites and paedophile apologists”.
She added: “He can’t build a team, he has no plan, he can’t even run his own office, let allow the country.”
