Keir Starmer is grappling with increasing pressure in the House of Commons today as the Mandelson controversy continues to unravel, raising questions about his political future.
Facing the Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir appears to be losing support, with open dissent emerging from Cabinet members after critical remarks from the dismissed Foreign Office official.
In a fresh sign of discord, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden refrained from labeling the dismissal of Olly Robbins as ‘fair’ during this morning’s interviews, merely stating it was the ‘Prime Minister’s judgement’.
Some disheartened Labour MPs now believe Sir Keir’s departure is inevitable following the latest scandal, which dashed hopes that his handling of Donald Trump’s Iran conflict might restore his leadership.
Despite this turmoil, potential contenders for his position are biding their time as Labour anticipates a challenging local election in two weeks.
Keir Starmer will brave PMQs amid signs support is ebbing away, with Cabinet dissent surfacing publicly following damning testimony from a Foreign Office mandarin
At an extraordinary Parliamentary hearing yesterday, sacked Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins revealed the ‘atmosphere of pressure’ created by No10 to approve Mandelson as ambassador to the US
Last night, Angela Rayner avoided directly criticizing Sir Keir, asserting at an event that the nation faces more pressing issues than the controversy surrounding Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
At an extraordinary Parliamentary hearing yesterday, sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly revealed the ‘atmosphere of pressure’ created by No10 to approve the New Labour grandee as ambassador to the US.
He hit out at a ‘dismissive approach’ to problems with the appointment, as he explained why he had not told Sir Keir that vetting officials advised against proceeding with the posting.
The crisis took another turn when Sir Olly revealed that Downing Street had secretly tried to give another plum diplomatic job to Sir Keir’s spin doctor.
In a stinging criticism of the PM’s judgment yesterday, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband publicly admitted he had been against giving Mandelson the prestigious Washington DC posting, well before it was known he had failed his security clearance test.
Asked what he had thought about the appointment at the time, Mr Miliband told Sky News: ‘That it could blow up, that it could go wrong. I had a conversation with David Lammy about it before the appointment, and I said I was worried about it. I think he was worried about it too.’
The Energy Secretary also admitted he had ‘steered well clear’ of Mandelson during his own time as Labour leader.
In another blow to the PM, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Commons she was ‘extremely concerned’ about the revelation that the No10 private office had tried to give Sir Keir’s then-director of communications Matthew Doyle an ambassadorial role.
Ms Cooper said: ‘I am, of course, extremely concerned at any suggestion that the permanent secretary or permanent under-secretary of the Foreign Office would be told not to inform the Foreign Secretary.
‘I can also confirm that the case that he raised… it would not have been an appropriate appointment.’
Asked on Times Radio this morning if the sacking of Sir Olly felt fair, Mr McFadden said he thought ‘very highly’ of the mandarin.
In the latest hint at trouble, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden repeatedly refused to say the ousting of Olly Robbins was ‘fair’ during interviews this morning
‘I think if the Prime Minister’s made the judgment that he’s not got confidence in the head of the Foreign Office, the head of the foreign service, then it’s difficult to continue,’ he said.
Asked again if it was fair, Mr McFadden said: ‘Look, it’s the Prime Minister’s judgment.’
Pressed further, Mr McFadden said: ‘As a Cabinet member, I support the Prime Minister’s decisions.
‘He took the decision he couldn’t continue with Olly Robbins in post because he viewed the material that had been withheld from him, not shared with him, as really important in making this decision.’
