Starmer ‘to face Commons vote’ over Mandelson scandal inquiry

• Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face a Commons vote as early as next week on whether to launch an inquiry into his handling of Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
• The potential inquiry, to be conducted by the powerful Commons Privileges Committee, would investigate whether Starmer misled parliament over the disgraced peer’s vetting process.
• MPs from across the House, including Labour, have written to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle requesting the investigation, with a statement expected on Monday and a vote on Tuesday.
• Starmer has repeatedly told MPs that he and his ministers only found out that UK Security Vetting advised against Lord Mandelson's clearance last Tuesday, despite earlier reports raising concerns.
• The controversy deepened after Starmer sacked Sir Olly Robbins, the former chief of the Foreign Office, who subsequently claimed Downing Street had taken a “dismissive” approach to vetting.

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Starmer ‘facing Commons vote next week’ on inquiry into Mandelson vetting scandal