Starmer and McSweeney ‘forced through Mandelson appointment’

Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer and his chief of staff of having “forced through” Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

The Prime Minister’s judgment came under intense scrutiny over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador and his absence in the chamber during an emergency debate on Tuesday.

The Conservative leader claimed Lord Mandelson had been “pushed ahead of qualified candidates” for the role, despite known links to Jeffrey Epstein, because he was their “political ally”.

Mrs Badenoch told the Commons: “This was an appointment apparently forced through by the Prime Minister and Morgan McSweeney, his chief of staff.

“We see a political ally pushed ahead of qualified candidates because the Prime Minister and Morgan McSweeney admired his talent for mixing with the rich and powerful, despite his known links to a man who was publicly known as a convicted paedophile and a convicted sex trafficker.”