Former prime minister set to break key promise by handing out resignation honours
Keir Starmer leaving Downing Street with his wife Lady Victoria (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer could break a pledge not to hand out honours following his resignation as prime minister.
The ex-PM has asked close allies for advice on whom he should reward with peerages and gongs, three years after saying he would never have a resignation honours list.
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Previous leaders of the UK have awarded political allies, former senior aides such as chiefs of staff, and supportive parliamentarians.
In June 2023, Sir Keir promised never to make such a move after criticising former Tory prime minister Boris Johnson‘s list.
Asked on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme if he would hand out resignation honours, Sir Keir said: “No. There are other opportunities.
“Tony Blair didn’t have a resignation list. It’s very hard to justify. There are other avenues for that, and I think it’s easier to be clean about this and simply say, no, I wouldn’t do it.”
He then twice declined to rule out a resignation honours list in July.
But The Sunday Times has reported that the former Labour leader is drafting a list of names to submit to Downing Street and has sought advice from trusted supporters.
The prospect of a Starmer honours list could open the door to figures such as Morgan McSweeney, his former chief of staff, being given seats in the House of Lords.
Mr McSweeney quit No 10 in February in the wake of the Lord Mandelson scandal, after taking responsibility for championing the disgraced peer for the role of UK ambassador to the US, despite his known friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the paedophile financier.
GB News turns tense in explosive migrant clash: ‘Be quiet!’
Presenter Ben Leo fired back at political commentator Matthew Stadlen.
Ben Leo fired back at Matthew Stadlen after he attempted to interrupt him (Image: GB News)
GB News took a tense turn on Sunday (13 September) as presenter Ben Leo clashed with political commentator Matthew Stadlen live on air. Appearing on the programme to discuss the impact of the French deal on the small boats crisis, the duo also reflected on ex-Chancellor George Osborne‘s calls for the UK to rejoin the customs union.
“I suspect that if we were to rejoin the customs union, it would help us economically,” Matthew began. “There’s no doubt that Brexit has harmed us economically – [but] that doesn’t mean I think we should have another referendum.”
“Anyway, despite the anti-Britishness being peddled by your guest Thomas there, we have over the first two quarters, over the first half of this year, the highest growth – it’s not massive growth – but the highest growth in the G7 and that, of course, includes the United States of America,” he continued.
“I’m also astonished to hear from you, Ben, that you think France should be treated as a hostile state,” Matthew noted, firing at the GB News host.
“What would that involve? Does that mean we would get banned from going to France on our summer holidays? How far do you take this?”
“Absolutely,” Ben replied. “There is nothing more serious than what is going on with the small boats crisis,” he declared, before Matthew attempted to cut in, talking over the journalist.
“Hang on, I’m talking now,” Ben snapped back, raising his voice. “You just had a monologue, so be quiet! The national security, there have been thousands of men – we don’t know who they are or where they’re from, what their intentions are – breaking into Britain.
“That should be the number-one national security issue for this nation. If that means severing ties with France politically and economically, I say do it.”
Former Chancellor George Osborne is calling for the UK to rejoin the customs union (Image: Getty)
Following the fiery debate, viewers were quick to respond on X. “@Benleo, that’s the problem with the left, they think they only have the right to speak, and everyone else has to shut up. Sorry @MatthewStadlen, it ain’t happening,” wrote one. “Well done, Ben. Why does GB News have that nasty person on?” added a second.
Among the comments, however, others questioned the journalist’s stance on cutting ties with France. “So there you have it, straight out of Ben Leo’s mouth. We should ban people from going on holiday to France and sever economic ties with France. Has Leo gone completely crazy?” tweeted a third. “Has Ben Leo taken leave of his senses?” quipped a fourth.