London, United Kingdom. British lawmakers voted against launching an inquiry into whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer misled parliament over statements about appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.
Vote blocks referral to privileges committee
Lawmakers voted 335 to 223 against asking the Committee of Privileges to investigate whether Starmer had misled the House of Commons on several matters, including by saying “full due process” had been followed around the appointment.
If the committee had found Starmer deliberately misled parliament, he would have been expected to resign.
Appointment and dismissal of Mandelson
Starmer picked Labour veteran Mandelson for the diplomatic post in December 2024 and later sacked him last September after his ties to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were found to have been deeper than previously known.
Starmer has said Mandelson lied about his relationship with Epstein and said officials kept information from him about the vetting process that would have stopped him making the appointment.
Political dispute over proposed investigation
Starmer criticised the attempt, led by opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, to launch an investigation, calling it a political stunt timed to sway voters before local and regional elections on May 7.
He ordered lawmakers in his centre-left Labour Party to oppose an investigation, and it was rejected. Badenoch said it showed Starmer’s weakness that he had to use such an order.
What impact do you think the vote will have on accountability for ministerial statements in parliament?