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Partygate v Mandelson: Keir Starmer faces attack from his own playbook

Keir Starmer. Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian Starmer’s problems stem from his decision in late 2024 [to appoint Peter Mandelson](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/20/appointment-peter-mandelson-new-uk-ambassador-to-us-divides-labour-mps), a Labour peer and veteran of successive governments, as ambassador in Washington

No way to raise Mandelson concerns, former senior official says

Keir Starmer and "told to get on with it". Sir Philip said he knew Epstein was "a controversial figure" in the US, adding: "I was worried that this could become a problem in future." "That

Starmer should face Commons inquiry over Mandelson vetting, says Ed Davey

Keir Starmer misled parliament over the appointment of [Peter Mandelson](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/peter-mandelson) as ambassador to Washington, Ed Davey has said. The Liberal Democrat leader called for the prime minister to be investigated

Top Cabinet Office official to give evidence to MPs about Peter Mandelson’s vetting – UK politics live

Keir Starmer is looking increasingly isolated over his handling of the [Peter Mandelson](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/peter-mandelson) scandal with divisions emerging in cabinet over his decision to sack the Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins.” ![Guardian

Starmer accused of 'skulking' and shunning Sarwar in Scotland

Starmer, who is mired in controversy. "He still has monumental questions to answer in the House of Commons about what he knew about [Peter Mandelson's vetting situation](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kryzd8l7no). "If he has misled

Starmer was kept in dark about Mandelson’s vetting by two top civil servants

ambassador to Washington. Olly Robbins was forced out of his job as permanent secretary of the Foreign Office on Thursday after it was revealed his department granted Mandelson developed vetting clearance against the advice

Naming Mandelson as ambassador before vetting was mistake, minister says

Keir Starmer’s senior ministers has said before the prime minister’s statement to MPs about the scandal. With Starmer aiming to [explain to the Commons](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/19/starmer-faces-commons-showdown-over-mandelson-vetting-scandal) on Monday afternoon

No 10 had 'dismissive attitude' to Mandelson vetting, says sacked Foreign Office chief

Starmer. But in front of MPs, Sir Olly defended his actions, insisting he had followed the proper process while under "constant pressure" from No 10 to get Lord Mandelson in post. No 10 denied claims

Starmer says ‘vast majority’ of Labour still supports him, despite Mandelson controversy – UK politics live

controversy – UK politics live Good morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of UK politics. Despite several calls for his resignation from within his own party, **Keir Starmer** told [the Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.com

Ministers urged to share Mandelson vetting files with intelligence committee

controversy are two documents. The first was produced by UKSV setting out its conclusion and explaining why it ranked Mandelson a “high concern”. The Cabinet Office on Friday published a template of that file

Ex-FCDO chief tells MPs he had concerns over Mandelson’s Epstein links

Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney – long rumoured – which had asked him to “just fucking approve it”. Barton, who left the Foreign Office in January, said he was unaware of Number

Mandelson scandal is biggest crisis for diplomatic service in decades, says ex-Foreign Office chief

Keir Starmer](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/keir-starmer), when he was dismissed from his role on Thursday. Robbins was sacked hours after the Guardian revealed that Peter Mandelson [failed his security vetting](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/17/keir-starmer-kept-in-dark-peter-mandelson-vetting-two-top-civil-servants) in January

Met police in talks to buy Palantir AI tech for use in criminal investigations

controversial US company to process highly sensitive intelligence data relating to crimes, such as victims’ personal information. Palantir already [supplies](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/22/met-police-ai-tools-officer-misconduct-palantir) experimental AI to Scotland Yard aimed at detecting rogue officers, and there

Robbins's revelations are a dangerous moment for Starmer

Starmer ends. In his nearly two-and-a-half hour-evidence session, Sir Olly - his voice at one point cracking under emotional strain - offered up an at times devastating account of Downing Street's relentless

Keir Starmer says it is unforgivable he was not told Mandelson failed vetting

Keir Starmer has said it was “unforgivable” that he was not told that [Peter Mandelson](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/peter-mandelson) had failed his security vetting before being appointed as ambassador to Washington. The prime minister said

‘Starmer’s referendum’: How local elections could expose a fractured UK

Keir Starmer is facing a tough stress test. His Labour Party on Thursday will battle local and devolved elections under mounting political pressure. Voters across England, Wales and Scotland are expected to deliver Labour their

Chris Mason: PM facing awkward hours ahead as Mandelson questions remain

controversial appointment, be so insufficiently curious that he didn't prise this information out of the government machine? Context is key here: in January of last year, Sir Olly had just arrived at the Foreign

Ministers speak out in cabinet meeting over Starmer’s sacking of Olly Robbins

Keir’s Starmer’s decision to sack Olly Robbins as the Foreign Office’s top official over the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal as they warned him not to [alienate the civil service](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/21/anger-whitehall-civil-service-olly-robbins-sacked-keir-starmer),