Starmer latest: PM set to be quizzed over paedophile-linked Labour peer in PMQs

Political Correspondent Millie Cooke:

Downing Street did not know about Matthew Doyle's links with a paedophile councillor before he was elevated to the Lords, a minister has claimed.

When it was put to Georgia Gould that Sir Keir knew about Doyle's links with Sean Morton when he decided to hand him a peerage, the education minister told Sky News: "I think No 10 did not know before they made the decision to give him the peerage".

She added: "I think the announcement was made on on the 10th of December. I think the [news] story was later in the month. But I think the prime minister has looked at this afresh, given the commitments that he has made to ensure the highest standards in public life."

Labour has grown its share of the vote by two percentage points, despite a week of chaos for the party.

A poll of more than 2,000 people conducted by More in Common UK between 6 to 10 February, found that Keir Starmer’s party went up to 23 per cent.

The thinktank however also found that the prime minister’s approval has dropped to -50.

Director Luke Tryl said: “Reform lead Labour by 7. At just 44 per cent this is actually highest combined vote for 2 traditional main parties since October.”

Away from internal bickering and scandal, Labour are gearing up to fight a crucial by-election in Gorton and Denton.

The seat was previously held by Andrew Gwynne, who retired on health grounds, a year after the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp scandal cost him the party whip.

But voters now say they are considering moving away from the party and consider the choice to be between Reform and the Greens.

Reporter Dan Haygarth has been out and about in the constituency to speak to voters:

Sir Keir Starmer is clinging on after surviving the toughest day of his premiership so far this week, when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar became the most senior Labour figure to call for him to quit.

The prime minister has been at the centre of a political storm since admitting he was aware of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein even after his conviction for child sex offences when he appointed him as US ambassador.

Figures across the political spectrum – including MPs in his own party – have been questioning the prime minister’s judgement, with some declaring “it’s over” for him.

The Independent’s Athena Stavrou and Millie Cooke take a look at who could step into the role:

Peter Mandelson would have gone through a “thorough” and “intimate” vetting process before being appointed as the UK ambassador to the US, a former MI6 head has said.

Ex-spy chief Sir Richard Moore said that though the process would have included background checks, it also would have relied on Lord Mandelson to be honest.

Keir Starmer accused Lord Mandelson of lying to him “repeatedly” when pressed on the extent of his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Sir Richard, who was part of the process and resigned last September, told Sky News: “Undoubtedly there would have been some background checks and then there's an interview process, where you rely to a degree.

“You've got the background checks, of course, to set it against, but you rely on people in those interview processes being very honest.”

He added: “I've been through that many, many times. They can sometimes be uncomfortable conversations because you're being asked about very private elements of your lifestyle or about your financial situation, and you are required to answer those questions truthfully.”

In his statement on the Sean Morton row, Lord Doyle said: “Those of us who took him at his word were clearly mistaken.

“I have never sought to dismiss or diminish the seriousness of the offences for which he was rightly convicted. They are clearly abhorrent and I have never questioned his conviction.

“Following his conviction any contact was extremely limited and I have not seen or spoken to him in years. Twice I was at events organised by other people, which he attended, and once I saw him to check on his welfare after concerns were raised through others.

“I acted to try to ensure the welfare of a troubled individual whilst fully condemning the crimes for which he has been convicted and being clear that my thoughts are with the victims of his crimes.

“I am sorry about the mistakes I have made. I will not be taking the Labour whip.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, let me conclude where I started. Morton’s crimes were vile and my only concerns are for his victims.”

The prime minister will face tough questions from Kemi Badenoch and other MPs at PMQs, as he clings on to his leadership in the middle of one of his most chaotic weeks.

Following yesterday’s suspension of Matthew Doyle, who was found to have campaigned for paedophile councillor Sean Morton in 2017, Keir Starmer will be under further pressure in the commons today.

Since Sunday, Keir Starmer has seen the exits of communications director Tim Allan, chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, and now, his ex-communication chief.

Chris Wormald, the cabinet secretary, is also said to be negotiating his resignation.

Keir Starmer has vowed to lead Labour into the next general election as he insists he will “never walk away”, despite calls for him to resign.

He told broadcasters on Tuesday: “I had a five-year mandate to deliver the change. I intend to get on with what I was elected to do.”

When asked if he would remain leader at the next election scheduled for 2029, he said: “Yes, I will.”

Echoing a similar message he gave to MPs the day before, the prime minister said he "will never walk away from the people that I'm charged with fighting for.

“And I will never walk away from the country that I love.”

Political Correspondent Millie Cooke:

Downing Street did not know about Matthew Doyle's links with a paedophile councillor before he was elevated to the Lords, a minister has claimed.

When it was put to Georgia Gould that Sir Keir knew about Doyle's links with Sean Morton when he decided to hand him a peerage, the education minister told Sky News: "I think No 10 did not know before they made the decision to give him the peerage".

She added: "I think the announcement was made on on the 10th of December. I think the [news] story was later in the month. But I think the prime minister has looked at this afresh, given the commitments that he has made to ensure the highest standards in public life."