UK MPs block bid to investigate PM Starmer over Mandelson vetting claims

On April 28, British lawmakers voted down an opposition bid to investigate whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer misled parliament over the vetting of Peter Mandelson for his appointment as ambassador to the United States, handing the government a victory ahead of local elections next week.

MPs rejected the Conservative-led motion by 335 votes to 223, giving Labour a majority of 112 and blocking efforts to refer Starmer to parliament’s Privileges Committee, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

The motion centred on Starmer’s statements that “full due process” had been followed in Mandelson’s appointment and that “no pressure existed whatsoever” during the vetting process.

Lawmakers debated the issue for around five hours, with ministers dismissing the motion as a political manoeuvre ahead of next week’s elections.

Opposition MPs said the matter was about accountability and transparency in public appointments.

The result means Starmer will not face a parliamentary inquiry over the remarks.

By Aghakazim Guliyev