Keir Starmer today insisted he did not know about Lord Mandelson's emails to Jeffrey Epstein before defending him at PMQs.
Finally breaking his silence since sacking the US ambassador last week, the premier struggled to address questions about what he knew and when.
He admitted he would never have appointed Lord Mandelson had he been aware of his messages to the notorious paedophile.
But critics have been claiming there are gaps in the government's account - and Sir Keir was sideswiped with another scandal this afternoon as one of his most senior aides quit over historical leaked lewd WhatsApps about Diane Abbott.
MPs will be given the opportunity to debate the appointment of Lord Mandelson, and the circumstances leading to his dismissal as the ambassador to the US, on Tuesday.
