At the third time of asking Keir Starmer has admitted at PMQs that the security vetting process made him aware of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction. He told the Commons he would release the “full documentation” to prove “the extent that Mandelson misrepresented his relationship” and “lied” repeatedly…
Badenoch said that revelation was “shocking.” Starmer is attempting to focus only on Mandelson’s leaks to Epstein in the aftermath of the financial crisis…
Badenoch added: “Labour MPs must decide whether they want to be accessories to his cover-up.” Coming up after PMQs…
UPDATE: Tory spokesman:
“The Prime Minister has just admitted that the official security vetting highlighted Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, but he went ahead and appointed him anyway.
This is the first time the Prime Minister has admitted this and it raises very serious questions over Keir Starmer’s shocking judgement.
The PM is now trying to orchestrate a cover up by having his own government mark his homework. All MPs must now support the Conservatives’ humble address so that we reveal the full extent of this scandal and the shocking failure of Keir Starmer and his operation.”
Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns told Times Radio she would have put a precondition on a China trip if she were PM:
“I would have put a precondition that I was not going to go if I was prime minister, unless Jimmy Lai was coming home with me. I would also put a precondition in the six months leading up to the visit that I wanted a reduction in hostile acts against our country. But that’s not what we saw. And actually, in contrast, what we saw was clearly the Chinese Communist Party did put a precondition, which was that the new embassy in London had to be signed off. So why is it okay for China to set preconditions and to make very clear red lines about what they require for a visit, but we go without having put any ourselves?”