Keir Starmer Confronts Fresh Judgment Questions Amid Lord Doyle Controversy
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is grappling with renewed questions about his judgment following a controversy involving his former spin doctor, Lord Matthew Doyle, who campaigned for a paedophile councillor. The Labour whip has been removed from Lord Doyle after it emerged he supported Sean Morton, a councillor charged with possessing indecent images of children, before Morton admitted to the offences.
Disclosure Failures and Apologies
Sir Keir stated on Wednesday that Lord Doyle did not provide a "full account of his actions" during the vetting process for his peerage. Lord Doyle has since apologised, explaining he believed Morton's assertions of innocence prior to the conviction. However, it is understood that his campaigning activities were not disclosed during the vetting, raising serious concerns about transparency.
Tim Allan, the former communications chief at Number 10, clarified in a statement to the Press Association that Lord Doyle had informed him of believing Morton's protestations and being supportive during that time. Allan noted, "The PM is right to state that Doyle did not tell me about his campaigning in a council election for Morton." This revelation adds to the mounting pressure on Starmer's leadership.
Cabinet Support and Internal Criticisms
Despite the turmoil, Sir Keir survived an immediate leadership threat earlier this week when his Cabinet publicly rallied around him. This followed calls from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar for his resignation amid fallout from the Peter Mandelson scandal. Critics argue that recent controversies expose a "boys' club" culture within Downing Street, a claim Number 10 denies.
In response, Starmer was urged to appoint a woman as his de facto deputy in Government. He acknowledged the suggestion from former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman during a meeting with female Labour parliamentarians, reiterating his apology for appointing Lord Mandelson and pledging to address misogyny and violence against women and girls.
Ongoing Political Fallout and Staff Changes
As the Prime Minister attempts to move past speculation about his future, scrutiny continues over Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US despite his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer is expected to overhaul his Number 10 operation, with rumours suggesting Sir Chris Wormald, the top civil servant, may be replaced imminently.
In a rare intervention, former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office Lord Simon McDonald emphasised the need for a "full process" to appoint a new Cabinet Secretary, stating, "Due diligence is vitally important. The Prime Minister has recent bitter experience of doing the due diligence too late." He warned against repeating mistakes, highlighting the importance of starting from scratch.
Already, key staff departures include chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications chief Tim Allan, as Starmer seeks to revive his political fortunes after a challenging start to 2026. Upcoming events, such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves's press engagement and public appearances by figures like Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham, will test Labour's unity amid ongoing controversies.
