British MPs vote on whether to probe PM Starmer over Mandelson hire

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British lawmakers will on Tuesday vote on whether to launch a parliamentary probe into Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, the Times newspaper reported Monday. Mandelson was fired from the job after his links with late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were revealed. The investigation would look into whether Starmer misled MPs when presenting them with his pick for UK envoy. 

Issued on: 27/04/2026 - 16:17

1 min Reading time Share By: FRANCE 24

Britain’s parliament will vote on Tuesday over a possible inquiry ​into Prime Minister Keir Starmer, looking at whether he misled the House of Commons over the appointment of former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, the Times ​newspaper ‌reported.

Any such inquiry could have serious implications ⁠for Starmer’s future. He has so far resisted pressure to quit over his decision to hire ‌Mandelson, but if found to have knowingly misled parliament his ⁠position would likely become untenable.

Read moreStarmer says unaware of security lapse when appointing Mandelson UK envoy

The Times reported that House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle would approve a request for ​parliament to debate and vote upon whether the Committee ‌of Privileges should look into the matter.

Mandelson was fired by Starmer last September after his relationship with the late US sex offender Jeffrey ‌Epstein was found to be deeper than previously known.

That has raised doubts about Starmer’s judgment ​in hiring him, exacerbated by the revelation that a security vetting body had described the appointment as a borderline case and that it was ​leaning against granting clearance – a decision foreign ministry officials overruled without ​telling the prime minister.

Read moreUK fires ambassador to US Peter ‘Prince of Darkness’ Mandelson over Epstein links

Starmer’s Labour Party has ​a majority in parliament, which could allow the government to instruct its lawmakers to vote down ​the launch of an inquiry.

If parliament did vote in favour of an inquiry, the committee, made up of lawmakers from the three biggest parties, would examine whether Starmer’s statements on Mandelson amount to knowingly ⁠or inadvertently misleading the House of Commons.

The focus of any such enquiry would ⁠be expected ​to fall on Starmer’s statement that due process was followed when hiring Mandelson.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

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