Do Olly Robbins’ actions stand up to scrutiny? Letters: Readers respond to the former civil servant’s testimony to MPs in the foreign affairs select committee The Guardian - UK · Apr 22
No one can look Starmer in the eye … and the Mandy saga is not going away The PM’s failure was being a spectator as Morgan McSweeney set about finding jobs for his mates The Guardian - UK · Apr 22
Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, to be questioned by MPs Exclusive: McSweeney summoned by foreign affairs select committee in rare step, as Mandelson vetting row continues The Guardian - UK · Apr 22
Divisions emerge in Keir Starmer’s cabinet over his sacking of Olly Robbins PM under increasing pressure over Mandelson vetting scandal as sources say ministers spoke up at tense meeting The Guardian - UK · Apr 22
Mandelson vetting scandal: why Whitehall is the worst of all worlds when it comes to accountability Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US keeps coming back to haunt him. It has now emerged that Mandelson was granted security clearance by the Foreign Office, despite concerns raised during the vetting process. Top Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins was sacked over these… The Conversation · Apr 22
How Olly Robbins’ knightly charm glossed over burning questions on Mandelson vetting Former Foreign Office top official’s evidence raises stark issues with ‘the system’ he was seeking to defend The Guardian - UK · Apr 22
Keir Starmer defies resignation calls over Mandelson envoy row Mandelson was named to the top diplomatic post in December 2024, just weeks before US President Donald Trump was inaugurated the following month. Euronews · Apr 22
Starmer admits his former comms chief was put forward for ambassador role IN FULL The Independent UK · Apr 22
After Starmer and Robbins, McSweeney faces a grilling on Mandelson. Can this government survive? Our panel responds The civil servant says he was pressured by No 10 to get Mandelson’s vetting done; the PM says he wasn’t informed. Who emerges most damaged? The Guardian - UK · Apr 22
Starmer admits his former spin doctor was considered for top ambassador job Calls for an inquiry as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accuses PM of delivering ‘cronyism and an old boy’ club’ The Independent UK · Apr 22
Keir Starmer does not deny No 10 considered giving Lord Doyle diplomatic job The Prime Minister said there were ‘often conversations about other roles’ when staff leave roles ‘in any organisation’. Evening Standard · Apr 22
Starmer looks less like a PM and more like a lawyer desperately trying to defend himself NEWS ANALYSIS: Starmer has found himself standing in the courtroom of public opinion, battling to save a threadbare case, says political editor David Maddox The Independent UK · Apr 22
Keir Starmer fails to deny Lord linked to paedophile was considered for top diplomatic job during fiery PMQs During a fiery Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir faced grilling over his former spin doctor Matthew Doyle Evening Standard · Apr 22
Starmer and Badenoch clash at PMQs over Mandelson’s vetting – what was said IN FULL The Independent UK · Apr 22
Evening Standard · Apr 22 Starmer says Robbins evidence ‘puts to bed’ claims that he misled MPs The Prime Minister insisted he did not mislead the Commons over details of Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
Evening Standard · Apr 22 Swinney criticises Starmer’s ‘vacuum of leadership’ amid Mandelson row The Prime Minister has been under pressure after it emerged the peer failed vetting before being appointed US ambassador.
The Independent UK · Apr 22 Watch in full: Starmer faces more backlash from MPs over Mandelson vetting scandal at PMQs Sir Keir Starmer faced a grilling in the House of Commons at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (22 April) amid the ongoing fallout over the vetting of Lord Peter Mandelson.
The Independent UK · Apr 22 Starmer should give Olly Robbins his job back, says former civil service chief IN FULL
The Independent UK · Apr 22 Senior Labour MP says there is ‘blame on both sides’ over Mandelson vetting scandal IN FULL
The Independent UK · Apr 22 Starmer facing fresh pressure over Mandelson scandal – here’s why IN FULL
The Guardian - UK · Apr 22 UK politics: Labour MP calls for Starmer’s resignation to end ‘psychodrama’ – as it happened Jonathan Brash says ‘own goals’ are distracting from Labour’s achievements
Evening Standard · Apr 22 'Don't ditch Keir,' Cabinet ally Pat McFadden urges Labour MPs but won't say Starmer right to sack Olly Robbins Sir Keir Starmer was facing a grilling at Prime Minister’s Questions over the Mandelson vetting storm
The Independent UK · Apr 22 Starmer told to do another U-turn and give ‘distinguished’ ex-foreign office chief his job back Lord Sedwill says the sacked Foreign Office chief ‘shouldered his responsibilities rather than shunting them’
The Guardian - UK · Apr 22 Wednesday briefing: Can Keir Starmer’s premiership survive more revelations about his handling of diplomatic posts? In today’s newsletter: Olly Robbins’ appearance before MPs raises fresh questions about how key diplomatic appointments are handled, threatening to engulf the prime minister at a precarious political moment
The Independent UK · Apr 22 Starmer-Mandelson latest: PM could face Privileges Committee after claims he misled MPs The Tories, SNP and Lib Dems are asking Sir Lindsay Hoyle to refer Sir Keir over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson - the PM has denied misleading MPs