Following the vote, it was suggested the Prime Minister should refer himself to the Privileges Committee to “clear his name”
(Image: Carl Court, Getty Images)
Fifteen Labour MPs, including one from Greater Manchester, have rebelled against the Government – voting in favour of launching an investigation into Sir Keir Starmer’s appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson.
Following a vote this evening (April 28), it was decided the Prime Minister will not face a probe into claims he misled Parliament over the appointment of the scandal-hit Lord as ambassador to the US. MPs rejected a bid by the Conservatives to refer the Starmer to the Commons Privileges Committee by 335 to 223.
Labour MPs had been ordered by their party to oppose the move. But 15 party members refused to toe the line.
Among these were Salford MP Rebecca Long Bailey. She was joined in the aye lobby by her party colleagues Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East), Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre), Emma Lewell (South Shields), Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Grahame Morris (Easington), and Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham).
However, Ms Smith also voted against the motion, which could indicate a formal abstention.
Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had accused the Prime Minister of misleading the Commons by claiming “full due process” had been followed and “no pressure existed” in Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
Some Labour figures have branded Mrs Badenoch’s call for an investigation a “political stunt”.
But the handful of backbenchers who broke ranks on Tuesday criticised the Government for whipping its MPs to oppose the motion And it was suggested the Prime Minister should refer himself to the Privileges Committee to “clear his name”.
Starmer himself had attended the Commons on Tuesday evening to vote against the motion.
Following the vote, a Downing Street spokesman said the Government was “delivering for Britain” while the Conservatives had “resorted to this desperate political stunt” ahead of local elections “because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS”.
Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse), Richard Burgon (Leeds East), Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby), Imran Hussain (Bradford East), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornby East), John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), and Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East) voted in support of the motion.
Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East), who recently lost the Labour whip, also voted in favour of the motion.