- Sir Keir Starmer's former communications chief, Matthew Doyle, was considered for an ambassadorial role despite lacking diplomatic experience, sacked Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins revealed.
- Robbins testified that No 10 pushed for Doyle's appointment and instructed him to conceal the request from then-foreign secretary David Lammy, making him feel “quite uncomfortable”.
- Sir Keir acknowledged that conversations about other roles often occur when staff leave, but stated “nothing came of this” regarding Doyle's potential ambassadorship.
- Matthew Doyle was later elevated to the House of Lords but subsequently had the Labour whip removed due to his links with a convicted paedophile, Sean Morton, whom he had campaigned for.
- Opposition figures, including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, accused Sir Keir of cronyism over the alleged lobbying for Doyle's diplomatic position.
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