Political editor David Maddox looks back on The Independent’s exclusive in September last year and how he informed Downing Street of Mandelson’s vetting failure seven months before the prime minister claims he knew
Political editor David Maddox looks back on The Independent’s exclusive in September last year and how he informed Downing Street of Mandelson’s vetting failure seven months before the prime minister claims he knew
The story No 10 is telling is clear enough and answers the headline directly - the FO was trying to ensure Starmer didn’t know so he’d be able to say he didn’t know if it came out.
Fairly plausible but you have to wonder what No 10 said to make the FO think this was important enough to go through with it in spite of serious security concerns.
More concerning. Either the FO made a political decision without PM authority. Indicating the PM dose not have control or confidence of the government.
Or the PM ordered the FO not to inform him. Meaning he had suspicions. Indicating his claim of not knowing. Is a lie to parliament.
Both of these events should very much mean a call for a vote of no confidence. And am explanation to the constituency of Amy MP not calling for a vote. Or voting confidence in the PM.
Anyone who, at this point, actually wants a no-confidence vote and a change of PM is a bit unhinged.
If Starmer lied to parliament (and the public) then he needs to go, but that would be an extremely unfortunate situation given what’s happening in the world. The idea that a rogue foreign office should have that fairly dire consequence is not sane.
I know he’s unpopular, but such views are not serious IMO.
You realise a no confidence vote. Only means an election when the party in power has a narrow or no majority.
In most cases it would mean remapping the leadership of the existing party. Definitely here. It would mean a new PM. But with Labour not only having a majority. But also having removed left of centre MPs. Actual changes would be minimal.
I do realise that yes.