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In a decisive vote, the House of Commons has opted against a Conservative-led motion to investigate Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over allegations he misled Parliament regarding the vetting process for Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador. The motion fell short with a tally of 335 votes against to 223 in favour, following intense lobbying from Downing Street to mobilise Labour MPs.
The Vote Breakdown
Despite dissent within Labour ranks, the majority rallied to dismiss the inquiry. Some left-leaning members had advocated for Starmer to voluntarily submit to the Privileges Committee, arguing that doing so would clear his name amid growing scrutiny. However, a significant faction, swayed by No 10’s campaign, voted to quash the motion.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who spearheaded the initiative, described Labour’s dismissal of the motion as a misguided compliance. “They’re acting like sheep,” she remarked, alluding to the perceived lack of independence among Labour MPs. Critics within Labour, including South Shields MP Emma Lewell, voiced concerns that the party’s response could be interpreted as a cover-up, alienating constituents further.
Internal Labour Dissent
The division list revealed that 14 Labour MPs defied the party line to support the motion, while another member registered both ‘aye’ and ‘no’, a move typically viewed as an abstention. This internal split raises questions about the consequences for those who broke ranks, with speculation looming over potential disciplinary actions.
Amidst the fray, 53 Labour MPs did not participate in the vote, a situation arising from either pre-approved absences or commitments elsewhere. This absence does not necessarily indicate abstention but highlights the complexities of party cohesion as local elections approach.
The Allegations and Defence
The crux of the controversy centres on Starmer’s assertions regarding the vetting of Mandelson. He has firmly denied claims that the vetting process was inadequate, insisting that “no pressure whatsoever” was exerted on the Foreign Office in relation to the appointment. Badenoch refuted these claims, arguing that the PM’s statements were misleading and contradicted the Ministerial Code, which mandates that any inaccuracies must be corrected promptly.
Labour MP Darren Jones rose in defence of Starmer, labelling Badenoch’s arguments as incoherent while attempting to contextualise the Prime Minister’s remarks. He stated that Starmer was specifically responding to accusations of undue pressure surrounding Mandelson’s vetting, attempting to clarify the narrative.
External Reactions and Implications
As the debate unfolded, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey emphasised the need for a government focused on pressing issues such as the cost of living, advocating for transparency and trust in leadership. Meanwhile, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn accused Labour of being unable to escape the shadow of Mandelson and Starmer’s leadership record.
The fallout from Lord Mandelson’s appointment continues to reverberate, especially after he was dismissed from his ambassadorial role in September 2025 following revelations about his connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The Foreign
