Prime Minister Keir Starmer has publicly acknowledged his efforts to secure a diplomatic service role for another political ally with connections to a convicted sex offender, marking the latest controversy in a series of vetting scandals plaguing his administration.
Revelations from Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing
During a tense session of Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer was pressed to confirm explosive testimony from Tuesday's Foreign Affairs committee hearing featuring Sir Olly Robbins, the former top Foreign Office civil servant recently dismissed by the Prime Minister.
Robbins disclosed that he had been instructed by Number 10 to explore a 'head of mission' diplomatic position for Matthew Doyle, Starmer's former communications chief who left his role in March 2025. The former civil servant revealed he was specifically directed not to discuss the matter with then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy, a directive that left him 'quite uncomfortable.'
Abandoned Diplomatic Proposal and Subsequent Peerage
The diplomatic appointment proposal was ultimately abandoned, but Doyle received a life peerage nomination from Starmer in December, taking his seat in the House of Lords in January. However, just weeks later, the Labour whip was suspended from Doyle when it emerged he had supported Sean Morton, a former councillor convicted in 2018 for possessing indecent images of children, during a council campaign.
Lord Doyle stated yesterday that he had no knowledge of any Downing Street efforts to secure him a Foreign Office position after his departure as communications chief. When questioned in the Commons about these discussions, Starmer did not deny they occurred, instead offering a carefully worded explanation.
'Matthew Doyle worked for many years in public service for me as prime minister and other ministers,' Starmer stated. 'When people leave roles in any organisation, there are often conversations about other roles they want to apply for, but nothing came of this.'
Conservative Criticism and Parliamentary Tensions
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch addressed the rowdy Labour backbenchers during her questioning, remarking, 'I am amazed at the level of chuntering from Labour MPs. He promised them probity, what he's given them is cronyism and an old boys' club where Matthew Doyle is being proposed as an ambassador.'
Much of today's parliamentary session focused on questions arising from Robbins' testimony, which also centered on vetting issues surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Despite Robbins describing a 'very strong expectation' from Number 10 that Mandelson would be approved, Starmer insisted today that 'no pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case.'
Upcoming Committee Appearance
In a highly unusual development, it was confirmed this afternoon that the Prime Minister's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, will appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week to address questions regarding the Mandelson appointment controversy.
This latest diplomatic appointment scandal follows multiple controversies surrounding Starmer's administration and its vetting processes for key positions, raising serious questions about transparency and propriety in government appointments.
